New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday presented the Union Budget for 2026 in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the budget as “historic,” highlighting it as a roadmap for the country’s development and economic growth.
However, the opposition sharply criticised the budget, alleging that it failed to address pressing issues facing the nation. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, termed it a “blind budget” and accused the government of ignoring fundamental problems.

Reacting after the announcement, Gandhi wrote on his social media platform X that the country’s youth are facing unemployment, manufacturing is steadily declining, investors are pulling out their investments, and people’s purchasing power is weakening. He also expressed concern over the worsening condition of farmers.

“The country’s youth are unemployed, manufacturing is continuously declining, investors are withdrawing their money, and people’s purchasing power is constantly decreasing. The condition of the country’s farmers is also dire. Future crises are being ignored,” he stated.

Gandhi further alleged that the budget reflects the government’s unwillingness to address these concerns and claimed that the Modi government is unaware of the country’s fundamental problems.

The budget has sparked intense political debate, with the ruling party defending it as growth-oriented while the opposition continues to question its impact on employment, agriculture and the overall economy.