Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, expressed disappointment with the Union Budget 2026-27, stating that it overlooks critical economic and social challenges facing India. Gandhi highlighted concerns such as unemployment, declining manufacturing growth, capital outflows, reduced household savings, and agrarian distress as issues the budget fails to address. He criticized the budget for neglecting these pressing issues and failing to provide necessary course corrections for India’s real crises.
Other opposition leaders have also voiced their criticism of the budget, citing a lack of structural reforms and meaningful interventions to boost growth, create jobs, and support vulnerable segments of society amidst global economic uncertainties. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav connected the stock market decline to the budget, accusing the government of disregarding the concerns of ordinary citizens. He criticized the budget for allegedly benefiting only a small segment of society and accused it of being designed to serve specific interests rather than the broader population.
Akhilesh Yadav further lambasted the budget as a manifestation of “BJP-style corruption,” questioning the government’s economic priorities. He noted a lack of provisions for common people and criticized the absence of tax relief, particularly as inflation rises. Yadav highlighted disparities in exemptions for the wealthy compared to the lack of support for the unemployed, emphasizing the dissatisfaction felt by the middle class and the worsening conditions for the poor and marginalized groups due to inadequate assistance.
The SP chief also condemned the budget for its reductions in social security, which he deemed as mere formalities without substantial impact. He claimed that various segments of society, including farmers, laborers, workers, traders, and small shopkeepers, have not received any relief or support from the budget. Akhilesh Yadav expressed deep disappointment with the budget, stating that it fails to address the needs of the majority and does not offer meaningful solutions to the challenges faced by different sectors of society.
