Speaking a day after the Budget was presented in Parliament, the Prime Minister said India had entered a “reform express” aimed at strengthening skills, scale and sustainability. He asserted that citizens are the country’s most valuable capital and that the Budget prioritises investment in people to propel growth. The government, he added, is not content with being a fast-growing economy and is working toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy at the earliest.
Modi highlighted measures intended to ensure that the proposed India–European Union trade deal benefits young Indians, calling the Budget an “ambitious roadmap” for new momentum. He also pointed to emphasis on sunrise sectors such as critical minerals, rare earth corridors, textiles and high-tech manufacturing, along with infrastructure expansion through high-speed rail and development of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The Finance Minister, he noted, has framed the plan as a “Youth Power Budget,” with opportunities linked to tourism, sports, the Orange Economy and data infrastructure.
The opposition, however, painted a starkly different picture. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the Budget does not generate jobs for young people and fails to revive manufacturing. He argued that investment is slowing, capital is exiting and household savings are under pressure, calling the proposals inadequate to tackle unemployment.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed the criticism, saying the Budget offers little relief to ordinary citizens. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed it “fragmented and disorganised,” disputing claims about new economic corridors and alleging that Bengal had been overlooked. She said projects cited by the Centre were already underway and accused the government of denying the state its due.
Other opposition leaders also raised concerns. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the Budget was incomprehensible to the poor and rural population and failed to provide employment. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said his state gained nothing, questioning the feasibility of centrally sponsored schemes.
Defending the proposals, Union ministers Ramdas Athawale and Jyotiraditya Scindia called the Budget progressive and inclusive, citing support for infrastructure, telecom, the North East and women-led enterprises.
As Parliament debates the proposals in the coming days, the Budget has clearly drawn political lines—projected by the government as reform-driven and youth-oriented, and by the opposition as disconnected from ground realities on jobs, agriculture and regional equity.
