New Delhi [India], February 1 (ANI): Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Union Budget 2026, saying it lacks policy vision and political will to address the country's pressing economic, social, and political challenges.

In a post on X, he questioned the government's priorities, asking, 'Where is 'Make in India'?' and claiming that manufacturing growth is stuck at 13%.

Kharge also expressed disappointment over the lack of support for farmers, stating that they still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan. He alleged that the inequality has surpassed levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not mention it or provide any support to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and minority communities.

'Modi Govt has run out of ideas. #Budget2026 does not provide a single solution to India's many economic, social, and political challenges. 'Mission Mode' is now 'Challenge Route.' 'Reform Express' rarely stops at any 'Reform' Junction. Net result: NO policy vision, NO political will. Our Annadata Farmers still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan. Inequality has surpassed the levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not even mention it or provide any support to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Minority communities. The Finance Commission's recommendations will have to be studied more, but they do not appear to provide any relief to State Governments, which are under severe financial stress. Federalism has become a casualty. What's missing and where it matters: Manufacturing: no revival strategy; stuck at 13%. Where is 'Make in India'?, the post read.

Furthermore, the Congress President criticised the government for failing to provide relief to state governments under severe financial stress and questioned the effectiveness of the Finance Commission's recommendations.

Kharge also claimed the absence of a 'serious plan' for employability and increasing women's participation in the workforce, and for lacking substantial announcements on social security and welfare, with no allocation mentioned for the new law that has replaced MGNREGA.

'Jobs: no serious plan for employability for our Youth or increasing participation of women in workforce. What is the outcome of earlier internship & skill development schemes? Exports/Trade: no response to export slump, tariff risks, trade deficit, shrinking global share. Any plan for the plunging Rupee? Poor & Middle class: no inflation relief; savings falling, debt rising, wages stagnating. Why no idea to reboot consumer demand? Private investment: no confidence signal - FDI and wage stagnation ignored. Why only minor adjustments, no structural reforms? Infrastructure: promises repeated, delivery missing-cities still unliveable. When will we have 'Smart Cities' or even liveable cities? Social Security: There was not a single substantial announcement on social security and welfare. There is not one word on the allocation for the new law that has replaced MGNREGA. Why? This Budget offers no solutions, NOT even slogans to hide the absence of policy!', the post added.

https://x.com/kharge/status/2017879422792020154

Earlier, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of playing politics over the Union Budget 2026 speech of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, adding that the speech of the Finance Minister was focused on the interests of the common man and development of the country.

'This Budget represents 'Reform Express' for 'Viksit Bharat'. I am very satisfied with the Budget. All these announcements are for the common man in the country. What can be done if the Opposition doesn't think of itself as the common people? Will the infrastructure developed won't be used by the Opposition? Are they not Indians, that they are not happy? If they critize this Budget, it is only because of politics. The focus in this budget was on growth and development,' he said.

The Finance Ministry said in a statement that it is the first Budget prepared in Kartavya Bhawan and is inspired by three 'Kartavyas' (duties).

As per the Ministry, first 'kartavya' is to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics, second kartavya is to fulfil aspirations of people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India's path to prosperity while the hird kartavya, aligned with vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation.

The non-debt receipts and the total expenditure are estimated as Rs 36.5 lakh crore and Rs 53.5 lakh crore, respectively. The Centre's net tax receipts are estimated at Rs 28.7 lakh crore.

The gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs 17.2 lakh crore, and the net market borrowings from dated securities are estimated at Rs 11.7 lakh crore.

The Revised Estimates of the non-debt receipts are Rs 34 lakh crore, of which the Centre's net tax receipts are Rs 26.7 lakh crore. (ANI)