Band-aid for bullet wounds: Rahul Gandhi attacks government over Budget 2025

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised the 2025 Union Budget and accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of lacking innovative solutions to tackle economic challenges.

In Short

• Rahul Gandhi criticises 2025 Union Budget as lacking innovation
• Gandhi calls government's economic solutions 'band-aid for bullet wounds'
• Congress President Kharge accuses government of misleading public

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticised the 2025 Union Budget, calling it a "band-aid for bullet wounds" and accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government of lacking innovative solutions to tackle economic challenges. His remarks came hours after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2025-26 in Parliament.

"A band-aid for bullet wounds! Amid global uncertainty, solving our economic crisis demands a paradigm shift. But this government is bankrupt of ideas," Gandhi wrote in a post on X.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, too, slammed the Union Budget, calling it an attempt by the PM Modi government to mislead the public while failing to address key economic concerns. He accused the government of offering minor tax relief to the middle class after collecting Rs 54.18 lakh crore in income tax over the past decade.

"The Finance Minister herself claims that the exemption up to Rs 12 lakh will result in a saving of Rs 80,000 per year, which is just Rs 6,666 per month. Meanwhile, the entire country is struggling with inflation and unemployment, but the Modi government is busy seeking false praise," Kharge said.

He criticised the budget for lacking concrete measures for youth, women, farmers, and marginalised communities. "Modi ji had promised a big step for women's empowerment, but nothing happened. There is no roadmap for doubling farmers' income, no concessions in GST on agricultural inputs, and no plans for health, education, or scholarships for Dalit, tribal, backward, poor, and minority children," he added.

Kharge also pointed out the absence of reforms to boost private investment, job creation, or tackle declining consumption. He dismissed initiatives like Make in India, Startup India, and Skill India as mere announcements with little impact.

"Overall, this budget is just another attempt by the Modi government to fool the people," he said.

On the flip side, PM Modi congratulated the Finance Minister for her "people-centric" Budget. Calling the financial papers for 2025-26 a "force multiplier", PM Modi said, "Today is an important milestone in India's development journey. This is the budget of the aspirations of 140 crore Indians, this is a budget that fulfils the dreams of every Indian. We have opened many sectors for the youth. This is going to drive the mission of developed India. This budget is a Force Multiplier," he said.

Nirmala Sitharaman, who presented her eighth consecutive budget, announced several measures aimed at benefiting different sectors, including agriculture and the middle class. One of the key highlights was the expansion of income tax exemptions, with individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh per annum exempt from paying income tax. Previously, the exemption limit was Rs 7 lakh.