New Delhi buzzed with political heat as Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav sharply criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for deviating from the budget discussion in Parliament. Instead of addressing key fiscal concerns, Yadav accused Sitharaman of steering the conversation towards West Bengal elections.
Speaking to reporters outside the Lok Sabha, Yadav pointed out that Sitharaman highlighted crimes against women in Bengal but conveniently ignored similar issues in states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Odisha. ‘She spoke one-sidedly, keeping Bengal elections in mind,’ Yadav remarked, underscoring the selective narrative.
Yadav also raised alarms over the recent India-US trade deal, warning it could harm Indian farmers and small industrialists. ‘Our farmers and small businesses are set to suffer,’ she asserted, demanding a more balanced approach to economic policies.
Echoing these sentiments, SP MP Priya Saroj lambasted the budget for neglecting farmers and common citizens. ‘Big talks but no action,’ she said, emphasizing the lack of concrete measures for youth, education, health, and employment. Saroj expressed disappointment that Sitharaman failed to answer questions posed by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
SP MP Anand Bhadauriya added that while they listened to the entire speech without walking out, Sitharaman’s response felt hollow—like an election rally pitch rather than a substantive reply. He criticized her for not addressing opposition queries and focusing on Bengal’s unpaid dues to Delhi while seemingly canvassing votes for her party.
The opposition’s protests highlighted a budget they dubbed as numbers-driven and election-oriented, far from meeting public expectations. This exchange underscores deepening political divides ahead of key state polls.