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The Budget 2025 has sparked significant political debate, with the Congress party labeling it as a “Bihar budget.” This characterization stems from the perception that the budget disproportionately favors Bihar, a state scheduled for assembly elections later this year.
The Congress party’s critique of the Budget 2025, labeling it as a “Bihar budget,” has led to tensions within its alliance, particularly with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and has caused discomfort among its own state leaders in Bihar.
The Congress’s sharp criticism of the budget’s focus on Bihar has caused unease among its state leaders. They are concerned that such statements will alienate voters in Bihar, where the party is striving to regain influence.
The perception that the Congress is opposing initiatives beneficial to Bihar could undermine its efforts to connect with the electorate. As far as the special impetus on Bihar is considered, the budget included following aspects:-
(i) creation of a Makhana Board in Bihar to enhance the production, processing, and marketing of makhana, a key agricultural product in the state.
(ii) establishment of a new NIFTEM (National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management) centre aiming to boost the state’s food processing industry and provide opportunities for skill development and entrepreneurship in the region.
(ii) development of greenfield airports in Bihar, expansion of Patna Airport, and the construction of a brownfield airport in Bihta. These projects are intended to improve air connectivity and support the state’s economic growth.
(iv) financial support for the Western Kosi Canal ERM project in the Mithilanchal region, aiming to benefit farmers cultivating over 50,000 hectares of land through improved irrigation and water management.
(v) provision for expanding infrastructure at IIT Patna, including increased hostel capacity, to accommodate more students and enhance educational resources.
Congress Party’s Critique:
The Congress party has criticized these allocations, suggesting that the budget’s focus on Bihar is politically motivated due to the impending state elections.
Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh remarked that Bihar seemed to have received a “bonanza” of announcements, pointing out the timing with elections due later in the year.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari criticized the government for promising a special package to Bihar but delivering only a “jhunjhuna” (a trivial offering).
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila said “The budget is ‘full’ for Bihar, and ‘Nill’ for Andhra Pradesh.
Congress leader Manish Tewari called the Union Budget 2025-26 a “budget for Bihar”.
Why is Congress wrong?
Under the Poorvodaya scheme, the government has been formulating an all-round development of the eastern region states covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. So the announcement is nothing new.
During the last budget in July 2024 as well, the central government had announced several big-ticket measures for Bihar, proposing a total outlay of over Rs 60,000 crore for various projects, including funding for three motorway projects, a power plant, heritage corridors, and new airports and sports infrastructure.
Political Implications:
The substantial budgetary allocations to Bihar are viewed by some as an attempt by the ruling government to strengthen its position in the upcoming state elections. While these initiatives have the potential to drive economic growth and development in Bihar, the opposition contention that the timing and concentration of these projects suggest political motivations aimed at garnering electoral support.
One can understand the criticism from Regional Party but a national party criticising the budget and dubbing it as a Bihar budget and that too when election is just 8 months away is a bad political statement.
The situation highlights the delicate balance within political alliances, especially when national narratives conflict with regional interests. The Congress’s national-level criticism of the budget’s allocations to Bihar has inadvertently put its alliance with the RJD under strain and posed challenges for its state leadership, who must navigate the complexities of regional political sentiments.
Congress’s stance on the Union Budget has already led to friction within its alliance and has posed challenges for its leaders in Bihar, reflecting the intricate dynamics of balancing national and regional political strategies.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.