Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday strongly criticized Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing her of being disconnected from reality for claiming that unemployment and inflation are not rising.
Priyanka Gandhi’s Sharp Criticism
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi said: “I don’t know which planet she is living in. She is saying there is no inflation, there is no rise in unemployment, there is no rise in prices.”
Her remarks came after Sitharaman’s speech in the Rajya Sabha, where the Finance Minister outlined the budget’s vision of making India a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047. The budget focuses on key areas such as agriculture, MSMEs, rural development, employment, and economic growth.
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Leave Parliament Together
The Gandhi siblings, Rahul and Priyanka, left the Parliament together after the day’s proceedings concluded. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will reconvene on February 13 (Thursday), following the Guru Ravidas Jayanti holiday.
Sitharaman’s Budget Defense
During her Rajya Sabha address, Sitharaman reiterated that the Union Budget lays out a futuristic roadmap aimed at India’s development, with a focus on:
✅ “Garib” (Poor)
✅ “Youth”
✅ “Annadata” (Farmers)
✅ “Nari” (Women)
She emphasized the introduction of new reforms and schemes in agriculture, MSMEs, exports, rural development, and employment generation, which aim to boost domestic consumption and economic growth.
GST Rate Reduction Highlighted
In response to a question from AITC MP Nadimul Haque, Sitharaman defended the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, stating that indirect tax rates have significantly reduced since GST’s implementation.
📉 Key GST Changes:
- Pre-GST Era Indirect Tax Average: 15.8%
- Current GST Average Rate: 11.3%
Sitharaman remarked:
“Earlier, a 15.8 per cent tax was levied on everyday items, adding a burden on consumers. Today, the GST rate has come down to 11.3 per cent. This reduction has happened through consensus in the GST Council.”
Conclusion
While Sitharaman defended the budget, stating it balances fiscal discipline with national development, opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, remain unconvinced, arguing that the real issues of inflation and unemployment have been ignored. The debate on the Union Budget 2025-26 continues, with sharp political exchanges expected in the coming days.