Nirmala Sitharaman’s facepalm moment in Lok Sabha is all over the internet. It happened when Rahul Gandhi mentioned the traditional pre-Budget ‘Halwa’ ceremony and the lack of diversity in the exercise – an absence of Dalits, Other Backward Classes, Adivasis in its preparation.
The BJP hit back at the Leader of Opposition over his criticism of the government’s alleged neglect of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBC, claiming the Congress’ history is “replete with instances of obstructing reservation” for these communities. It also accused the Congress of being “anti-Hindu”.
Mr Gandhi, displaying a picture of the ‘Halwa’ ceremony, said 20 officers worked on preparing the country’s budget and of them, only one was from a minority community and one from the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
“20 officers have prepared the budget of India, in which there is only one minority and one OBC. The budget halwa is being distributed, but 73% of the country’s people are not included in it,” said Mr Gandhi.
Nirmala Sitharaman: At this point, the Finance Minister placed her hands over her face. A disapproving nod followed.
The reaction was not lost on the Congress leader.
“The Finance Minister is laughing. It is quite astonishing. This is not a laughing matter, madam. This is about caste census. It will change the country,” said Mr Gandhi.
Mr Gandhi claimed the sole aim of the Budget is to strengthen the framework of big businesses, political monopoly that destroys the democratic structure, and the deep state or the agencies.
Pushing back, BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh posted on X pictures of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation’s board members which included Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, former prime minister Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, and asked which of them belong to OBC, SC and ST categories.
“Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Board for your perusal. Identify OBCs, SCs and STs for the use of the Congress and its troll army,” he wrote on X along with a screenshot of the foundation’s website showing its board members.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya alleged the Congress has been “anti-SC/ST and OBC” since Independence.
Recently, Rahul Gandhi’s critique of the Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sparked significant political reactions. Rahul Gandhi labeled the budget as “Kursi Bachao” (Save the Chair) Budget, accusing it of prioritizing political alliances over genuine economic reforms and development. He pointed out that parts of the budget appeared to be lifted from the Congress party’s own election manifesto, implying a lack of originality and direction.
During his speech, Gandhi criticized the budget for making “hollow promises” and focusing on appeasing political allies rather than addressing the needs of the common Indian citizen. He cited specific examples, such as employment-linked incentives and apprenticeship schemes, which he claimed were directly taken from the Congress manifesto. Gandhi’s remarks were aimed at highlighting what he viewed as the budget’s failure to address substantive economic issues, including growing inequality and inadequate support for the poorer sections of society.
In response, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other BJP leaders defended the budget, describing it as forward-looking and inclusive. Sitharaman emphasized the budget’s focus on infrastructure development, economic growth, and welfare schemes aimed at benefiting all sections of society. She dismissed Gandhi’s allegations, asserting that the budget was crafted with the country’s long-term interests in mind, rather than short-term political gains.
Nirmala Sitharaman’s viral reaction during Rahul Gandhi’s speech, where she was seen dismissively shaking her head and smiling, quickly became a focal point on social media, adding a layer of public drama to the parliamentary proceedings. This reaction was widely interpreted as a sign of her confidence in the budget’s provisions and a rebuttal to Gandhi’s accusations.
The BJP’s pushback was robust, with several party leaders and allies coming forward to support the budget. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hailed it as a “dream budget” for all sections of society, particularly emphasizing the benefits for economically backward regions like Eastern India. He stated that the budget would drive significant infrastructure projects in states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, transforming them into economic hubs.
Moreover, BJP leaders argued that the budget’s allocations for various sectors, including significant increases for disability affairs and development projects in Gaya, were indicative of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to national development. They asserted that these measures would stimulate growth and address regional disparities.
Despite the BJP’s defense, the opposition remained critical. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor pointed out the absence of any significant measures to improve the incomes of the bottom 40 percent of the population. He criticized the budget for not addressing the growing economic inequality and failing to provide meaningful support for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
In summary, the Union Budget 2024-25 has triggered a heated debate between the ruling BJP and the opposition, with each side presenting contrasting views on its impact and intentions. While the BJP portrays the budget as a strategic blueprint for India’s future growth, the opposition views it as a politically motivated document lacking substantive solutions to pressing economic challenges.
