Union Budget 2022: Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Bhupesh Baghel lambast Centre’s policies

Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala (L). Image/Pallav Paliwal

After Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not announce any tax relief in the Budget for the year 2022-23, the Congress on Tuesday slammed the government for betraying the middle and salaried class.

Reacting to the Budget, Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "India's salaried class & middle class were hoping for relief in times of pandemic. All round pay cuts and back breaking inflation. FM & PM have again deeply disappointed them in Direct Tax measures. This is a betrayal of India's Salaried Class & Middle Class. #Budget2022"

However, the Finance Minister in some relief to the taxpayers, announced that updated income tax returns can now be filed within two years. But there was no change to the tax slabs.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the Union Budget is "extremely disappointing, a damp squib."

"Extremely disappointing, a damp squib! There seems to be absolutely nothing in this Budget. It's an astonishingly disappointing Budget. When you listen to the speech, no mention of MGNREGA, of Defence, of any other urgent priorities facing the public," said Tharoor.

He further said that the country have to wait for 25 more years for 'acche din' to arrive. "We are facing terrible inflation and there's no tax relief for the middle class. This is a Budget that seems to be pushing the mirage of 'achhe din' even farther away. Now it's India at 100, we'll have to wait for 25 more years for 'acche din' to arrive," said the Congress MP.

"Very clear that as far as digital currency is concerned, Government was heading in that direction. To the best of my knowledge, a reasonable proposition, I don't think we will be criticising that. But we are more concerned about lack of substance for common citizens in Budget," he added.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said, "The budget has focused on the interests of big business friends of PM Modi. It has not tackled the problems of unemployment and inflation. This budget will only increase the inequality and leave the largest section of our population vulnerable and dependent on handouts."

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "On the one hand, the Budget talks of climate action and protecting the environment. On the other, it pushes ecologically disastrous river-linking projects. Rhetoric sounds nice. But actions matter more. On that front, the Modi govt is on a destructive path."

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Monday said that this year's budget will be 'Chunaavi budget' ahead of the scheduled assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Rawat said, "This year's budget will be a 'Chunaavi Budget'. It will be presented in a way while focusing on the interests of the poll-bound states."

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury took to Twitter to voice his opinion, "Budget for whom? The richest 10% Indians owns 64.6% of the country's wealth. Bottom 60% own less than 5%. Why are those who amassed super profits during the pandemic, while joblessness, poverty & hunger have grown, not being taxed more?"

He also added, "Anti people budget. When human suffering exponentially grew during last two years, subsidies on food, fertiliser & petroleum slashed. Cruel assault on people's livelihoods."

Criticising the Union Budget 2022-23, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday termed the Budget as 'Pegasus spin Budget' and stated that the budget has 'zero' for common people.

Taking to Twitter the West Bengal CM wrote, "Budget has zero for common people, who are crushed by unemployment & inflation. Govt is lost in big words signifying nothing - a Pegasus spin Budget."

According to Mamata, the Central Government is only about big talks without any significant work.

One of the strong allies of the BJP, NDA constituent Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Tuesday expressed its disappointment with the Union Budget 2022-23.

JD-U Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha called it a "disappointing Budget".

"We have a long standing demand for special status of Bihar and expecting that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would say something on it but unfortunately, she completely ignored it," he said.

"The Union Budget has been beneficial for developed states but it has nothing for poor states like Bihar. Our state needs financial support from the Centre for its development," he added.

Kushwaha's statement also hinted that the tussle between the JD-U and BJP will intensify in the coming days.

Maharashtra Minister of state for Home and Information and Technology Satej Patil has called the Union Budget a ‘Big Zero Budget' which has resulted in the big disappointment to middle class and salaried people.

The minister said that the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has failed to give any respite to the people in distress because of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years. He has said that the BJP-led central government has betrayed the common man of the country.

"A big disappointment for the middle class and salaried, since there is not change in income tax exemption for the middle class who were in crisis during the Covid era. This is a betrayal of India's Salaried Class & Middle Class. #Budget2022," he has tweeted.

In another tweet, he has termed it as ‘Big Zero Budget!' and further tweeted, "BJP led central government is insensitive and seems to have decided not to listen to the voice of the common man of India."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel termed the Union Budget ‘directionless' and said it does not offer anything to the farmers, women and the youth.

"It is a directionless Budget. It doesn't have anything to offer to farmers, women, and the youth. This Budget says nothing about doubling farmers' income and the smart city project," he said to ANI.

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