Ahead of the Union Budget 2025, Rahul Gandhi criticizes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for lack of representation from Dalits and minorities, and targets Kejriwal over infrastructure issues.
Rahul Gandhi Questions Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget-Making Process: ‘No Dalit or Tribal Representation’
Ahead of the 2025 Union Budget presentation, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about the lack of representation for Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and minorities in the budget-making process. Speaking at a rally in Delhi ahead of the assembly polls, Gandhi claimed that the Finance Ministry’s process does not adequately reflect the diverse population of India.
“Tomorrow, you will see the finance minister walking into the office with a briefcase for the budget presentation. There will be a photo of this moment, but there will not be a single Dalit, tribal, backward class person, or minority in that photo,” ANI quoted Gandhi as saying. He further pointed out that out of the 90 officers involved in preparing the budget, only three belong to the OBC category, despite the fact that OBCs make up a substantial portion of India’s population.
Gandhi continued to emphasize that this lack of diversity within the budget-making process diminishes the influence of these communities on the distribution of financial resources, highlighting the discrepancy between the population and the representation of different social groups in such critical decisions. “If 100 rupees are distributed in the budget, only 5 rupees will be decided by officers representing 50% of the population,” he added.
This criticism comes just a day before Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget on February 1, 2025. Gandhi’s remarks are likely to spark further debate on the inclusion of marginalized groups in the decision-making processes of India’s financial and economic policies.
Gandhi Shifts Focus to Arvind Kejriwal’s Exclusion of Dalits and Minorities
In addition to his criticism of the budget-making process, Rahul Gandhi also took aim at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Gandhi accused Kejriwal of failing to include Dalits, tribals, and minorities within his leadership team, accusing the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) of promoting a narrow, exclusionary political approach.
“There are nine people in Kejriwal’s team. None of them come from Dalit, Adivasi, backward class, or minority communities. This is a party of just 2-3 percent,” Gandhi stated, reflecting on his belief that political leadership should be more representative of the diverse population it serves. This was a sharp critique of the AAP’s leadership structure, which Gandhi claims lacks the necessary inclusivity for effective governance.
Gandhi Criticizes Kejriwal on Yamuna and Infrastructure Issues
Shifting his focus back to the Delhi government, Gandhi further criticized Kejriwal for his failure to clean the Yamuna River, a promise he made years ago. “Kejriwal had said five years ago that he would drink Yamuna water and take a dip in it, but now he is roaming around with a water bottle and blaming the Haryana government or others for the river’s condition,” Gandhi remarked. The Congress leader emphasized that the responsibility for cleaning the Yamuna lies with the Delhi government, led by Kejriwal.
Gandhi also accused Kejriwal of destroying Delhi’s infrastructure, which he claims was built during the tenure of former Congress Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. “Kejriwal came in a WagonR and went straight to the parking lot of Sheesh Mahal. The infrastructure that Sheila Ji had built—roads, bridges, flyovers, development work—has all been destroyed under his leadership,” Gandhi alleged.
The Debate on Ideology and Governance: Gandhi’s Focus on Congress Principles
As the Congress gears up for the upcoming assembly polls in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi is emphasizing the ideological divide between his party and others like the AAP. He framed the battle as one based on ideology rather than opportunism. “Our fight is not opportunistic,” he stated, underscoring the Congress party’s commitment to inclusive governance and long-term development, in contrast to the more opportunistic politics he perceives within other parties, including the AAP.
Conclusion: Gandhi’s Criticism of Budget 2025 and Political Leadership
Rahul Gandhi’s statements ahead of the Union Budget 2025 and the Delhi assembly elections point to his ongoing push for greater inclusivity and representation in India’s political and economic processes. His criticism of both the Finance Minister’s budget-making approach and Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership style highlights key concerns about the exclusion of marginalized groups from positions of power and decision-making. As the budget presentation approaches, these remarks are likely to contribute to the broader discourse on equity, representation, and governance in India.
