Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde expressed strong backing for the Union Budget 2026 during a Lok Sabha debate. He commended Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for her ninth consecutive budget presentation, highlighting the country’s economic advancement over the past decade. Shinde emphasized the significant increase in the budget size under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
In his address, Shinde criticized Opposition MPs for disrupting proceedings and targeted Rahul Gandhi over the controversy surrounding General M.M. Naravane’s memoir. He mocked Gandhi’s speech during the budget discussion, questioning its relevance and likening it to martial arts. Shinde also referenced former RBI Governor D. Subbarao’s autobiography to counter Opposition claims about the economy.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the India-US agreement, Shinde dismissed the criticism and questioned the internal cohesion of the INDIA bloc. He criticized the Opposition alliance’s political track record and highlighted their electoral setbacks. Shinde defended India’s textile sector’s performance under the trade arrangement and refuted claims of selling out the country.
Shinde further criticized Gandhi’s assertion of US views on India and Pakistan, citing Pakistan’s Defense Minister’s derogatory remarks about the US. He praised the Budget as a reflection of a “New India” focusing on education, healthcare, and job creation.
