Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 1: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati has sharply criticized the Union Budget 2025, accusing it of prioritizing political interests over the pressing needs of the people.
In a post on X, Mayawati highlighted the widespread struggles faced by India’s population, including inflation, poverty, unemployment, and a lack of basic amenities like roads, water, and education. She stressed that the lives of the country’s 140 crore citizens are being severely impacted by these issues, which, she argued, should have been addressed in the Union Budget.
“Due to the tremendous challenges of inflation, poverty, and unemployment, along with the shortage of essential facilities such as roads, water, education, and basic comforts, the lives of people in India are troubled. This situation needs to be addressed through the Union Budget,” she wrote.
Mayawati further criticized the BJP-led government’s approach, drawing a comparison to past Congress budgets. “Like the Congress, the current BJP government’s budget seems focused more on political interests than on the welfare of the people and the country. If that’s not the case, then why are the lives of citizens still marked by struggle and distress under this government?” she questioned.
The BSP leader also underlined that the vision of a ‘developed India’ must include the interests of marginalized groups, particularly the Bahujans. “The dream of a ‘developed India’ must align with the needs and welfare of the Bahujans,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh also expressed his discontent with the Union Budget, particularly for not including proposals such as the provision of breakfast in schools, an increase in honorariums for Anganwadi workers, and enhancements to the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 schemes.
During her budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an increase in funding for the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, which provides nutritional support to over 8 crore children, 1 crore pregnant women and lactating mothers, and around 20 lakh adolescent girls, especially in aspirational districts and the North East region.
Additionally, Sitharaman introduced a Nuclear Energy Mission in her budget speech, aiming to develop at least 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy by 2047 as part of India’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat.” The government also plans to amend key laws to encourage greater private sector participation in the country’s nuclear energy sector.