'Compulsion Of Govt Visible In Budget,' Say Opposition Leaders

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its inability to address fundamental issues affecting citizens, asserting that the government's "compulsion" is evident in the recent budget. Speaking to ANI, Gogoi highlighted widespread dissatisfaction among the populace, claiming that the budget reflects the government's failure to meet the needs of various states. The opposition coalition, known as the INDIA bloc, staged protests in Parliament, denouncing what they perceive as injustices in the budget allocations. Karti Chidambaram, another Congress MP, expressed disappointment over the lack of relief for individuals burdened by student loans, emphasizing that expectations were high for the Finance Minister to address this issue. He also noted a reduction in funding for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), which he believes undermines support for rural employment. Chidambaram's remarks underscore a broader sentiment among opposition leaders regarding the budget's inadequacies. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring pointed out that Punjab has been overlooked in the budget, attributing this neglect to the BJP's poor performance in the state during the recent Lok Sabha elections. He argued that the lack of representation in the budget reflects the party's failure to secure any seats in Punjab. Shashi Tharoor, a senior Congress MP, echoed similar concerns, stating that Kerala, among other states, was expected to receive health sector allocations that were ultimately absent. The INDIA bloc's protests highlight a collective frustration with the Union Budget, which they argue fails to address the diverse needs of the states.