New Delhi buzzes with anticipation as India’s Finance Minister gears up for her ninth consecutive budget presentation this Sunday, a landmark moment hailed by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dinesh Sharma as the ultimate symbol of women’s empowerment. In an exclusive interview, Sharma painted an optimistic picture of India’s economic trajectory, spotlighting the booming startup ecosystem and government initiatives driving self-reliance and skill development.
Sharma emphasized how startup culture has flourished under current policies, with self-employment schemes gaining momentum. ‘Looking ahead, we could see GDP growth hitting 7.4% by 2026, a significant milestone,’ he noted, contrasting it with the 6.5% rates from just a few years ago. This projection underscores the nation’s robust recovery and strategic focus on sustainable growth.
Turning to the budget itself, Sharma lauded the Finance Minister’s repeated presentations as a powerful testament to PM Narendra Modi’s commitment to women. ‘What bigger symbol of empowerment than a woman finance minister presenting the budget for the ninth time?’ he questioned rhetorically. Even though the budget drops on a Sunday, the economic survey has already laid bare the economy’s strong fundamentals.
On Maharashtra politics, Sharma addressed the jolt from Ajit Pawar’s exit from the NDA, calling him a sturdy pillar whose departure hurts the alliance. ‘Whoever takes the leadership helm will be embraced by NDA and the nation. BJP stands firmly with Ajit Dada’s family in these tough times,’ he assured.
Reacting to Home Minister Amit Shah’s Lok Sabha remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi over an Assamese gamchha, Sharma defended cultural sensitivity. ‘The gamchha is Assam’s pride nationwide. Rejecting it insults not just Assamese people but the entire country. Such hatred has no place,’ he stated firmly.
Economically, Sharma highlighted India’s rise as a global powerhouse, with surges in defense production, MSMEs, and investor appeal. Post-EU trade pacts, exports are poised for a boom, and US tariffs are unlikely to dent progress significantly. This budget, he predicts, will propel India further on its high-growth path.