New Delhi: The BJD led by former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has termed the Union Budget for 2024-25 as anti-Odisha budget. The BJD MPs in Rajya Sabha walked out of the house when the Union Budget was being laid, strongly protesting the “neglect towards the state”.
BJD MP and National Spokesperson Dr Sasmit Patra informed on X: “Before Walking out, the BJD MPs strongly said in the House that they are walking out due to denial of Special Category State status to Odisha. While Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar had been asking for Special Category, the two states got Special additional funds while Odisha’s demand was not considered. Probably this is the punishment meted out to Odisha for electing 20 Lok Sabha BJP MPs out of 21 MPs from Odisha and the reward to the BJP allies from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh,” Patra stated.
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi criticised Union Budget 2024 on Tuesday, branding it a “Kursi Bachao (save your chair)” Budget. He alleged that the government made empty promises to its allies at the expense of other states. Gandhi contended that the Budget appeased cronies without offering relief to ordinary Indians, saying it was merely a copy-paste of the Congress’ previous Budget.
“‘Kursi Bachao’ Budget. – Appease Allies: Hollow promises to them at the cost of other states. – Appease Cronies: Benefits to AA with no relief for the common Indian. – Copy and Paste: Congress manifesto and previous budgets,” he stated on X.
Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram took a dig at the government over the Union Budget, suggesting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman might have borrowed ideas from the Congress’s 2024 manifesto after the Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh said that Sitharaman has taken a leaf out of its 2024 Lok Sabha polls manifesto by announcing an internship programme but “in their trademark style”, the scheme has been designed to “grab headlines with arbitrary targets” rather than a programmatic guarantee.
PM Modi cited budget’s stress on youth, highlighting its measures that will open many new opportunities for youngsters. “This budget puts emphasis on manufacturing as well as infrastructure and it will speed up growth. This budget will empower every section of society,” he said.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated: “Comprehensive focus on development of human resources, infrastructure and economic opportunities and assistance to Odisha for development of tourism, temples, beaches and craftsmanship, among others, will harness the full potential of resource-rich and naturally-endowed state like Odisha. Confident that in the times ahead, eastern India, particularly my beautiful state of Odisha will be the epicentre of prosperity and a key driver of India’s future economic growth.”
The Trinamool Congress has strongly criticised the BJP-led NDA government, stating that the Union Budget shows both financial mismanagement and political failures under the current regime.
TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee stated on X platform: “This BUDGET is a complete failure with ZERO WARRANTY, presented by a FAILED FINANCE MINISTER OF A FAILED GOVERNMENT. Instead of tackling urgent issues like unemployment, rising prices and growing inflation, the BJP has crafted a budget to bribe its coalition partners and buy time before the government IMPLODES!”
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