Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly rebuffed criticism of the Union Budget 2026-27 leveled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asserting the robustness of India's economic fundamentals and emphasizing the need for a data-driven opposition. Sitharaman's sharp response came after Gandhi dismissed the budget as "blind to India's real crises" in a post on X, highlighting concerns about unemployment, declining manufacturing, and farmers' distress.
Sitharaman, in her rebuttal, questioned Gandhi's understanding of the economic realities and the need for "course correction" as he suggested. She stated that she didn't know what course correction Gandhi was referring to, rejecting the claim that the economy is off track. She didn't hold back, accusing Gandhi of "shooting from the hip" with his remarks, implying a lack of depth and understanding in his critique.
The Finance Minister also took a swipe at the opposition, stressing the importance of an opposition that relies on data and factual analysis rather than unsubstantiated claims. She argued that a responsible opposition should acknowledge India's growing economic strength and its increasing influence on the global stage.
To bolster her argument, Sitharaman cited a social media post by Elon Musk, who highlighted data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showcasing India and China as the primary drivers of global GDP growth. Musk noted that India accounts for 17% of global GDP growth, second only to China's 26%. Sitharaman pointed out that Musk had expressed surprise at these figures, underlining the significance of India's contribution. She urged the opposition to take note of this rising profile and acknowledge the strength India has acquired in the global economy.
The Finance Minister's defense of the budget also saw support from other members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, also responded to Gandhi's criticism, cautioning against disparaging the country on international platforms. Sanjay Jaiswal, a BJP MP, lauded the Union Budget 2026-27, criticizing Rahul Gandhi for his remarks. Another BJP MP, Shashank Mani, pointed out that under the current government, India has risen from the 11th to the 5th largest economy in the world.
The broader opposition, however, remained largely unimpressed by the budget. The Congress party labeled the budget as "disappointing" and lacking in specifics, while other opposition leaders criticized its opaqueness and alleged bias against states not governed by the BJP. Rahul Gandhi, in his post on X, claimed that the budget ignored the real crises facing India, including unemployment, falling manufacturing, and farmers' distress.
Despite the opposition's criticism, Sitharaman and the BJP remain firm in their conviction that the Union Budget 2026-27 is a well-crafted plan that will propel India towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Sitharaman emphasized the government's commitment to structural reforms, fiscal prudence, and public investment, while also acknowledging the external challenges posed by global trade tensions.