In a dramatic response to the recently unveiled Union Budget for 2024-25, Congress Chief Ministers have decided to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting scheduled for July 27. This decision marks a significant political move, highlighting the deep dissatisfaction within the party regarding the latest fiscal policies.
The Congress has labelled the Union Budget as “discriminatory” and “dangerous.” The party’s Chief Ministers, Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, Revanth Reddy of Telangana, and Sukhvinder Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh, have announced their decision to skip the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in the national capital. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who leads the DMK, has also joined the boycott as a form of protest against the Budget.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal was vocal about the party's stance, criticising the Budget for its approach to federalism and fairness. He expressed that the Budget represents a threat to constitutional principles and accused the current government of using the NITI Aayog meeting as a facade to cover up its discriminatory policies.
In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined several measures, including an increase in the standard deduction from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 in the new tax regime, changes to tax slabs, a reduction in customs duty on gold and silver, and new schemes aimed at employment-linked incentives. The Budget also earmarked Rs 2 lakh crore for job creation.
Despite these announcements, the Congress has dismissed the Budget as a political manoeuvre aimed at maintaining the government’s grip on power rather than addressing pressing issues.
Venugopal described it as a “Sarkar Bachao” Budget, driven by political survival rather than genuine concern for the nation’s challenges. He criticised the Budget for failing to address inflation, the farmers' crisis, and middle-class concerns. According to him, the proposals in the Budget are insincere and lack substantial measures to tackle the real issues faced by ordinary Indians.
Venugopal further claimed that the government’s announcements regarding job creation are inadequate and lack seriousness. He compared the Budget to previous ones, arguing that it remains disconnected from the actual needs of the people.
The criticism extends to the government’s perceived detachment from the public's struggles, with the Congress arguing that the administration is more focused on preserving its position than on addressing the country’s challenges effectively.
The decision by the Congress Chief Ministers to boycott the NITI Aayog meeting reflects a broader discontent with the current administration’s approach to governance and fiscal policy.
The boycott serves as a platform for the Congress to voice its dissent and challenge the government's policies. As the date for the NITI Aayog meeting approaches, it remains to be seen how this political move will impact the dynamics between the federal and state governments and whether it will influence future fiscal policies and political strategies.
The Congress party’s response to the Union Budget underscores a significant moment in Indian politics, highlighting ongoing tensions between the central government and opposition parties.
The boycott of the NITI Aayog meeting represents a strong statement from the Congress on its stance regarding the current administration’s policies and its implications for the country’s future.
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