Rahul Gandhi Slams Budget-Preparation Process Over No Representation Of Marginalised: 'Won't See A Single...'

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday regarding the preparation of the Union Budget, questioning the apparent lack of representation for marginalised communities in the decision-making process.

Speaking at a rally in Delhi ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Gandhi pointed out the absence of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and minorities from the budget formulation process.

Gandhi, also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, further alleged that the process was dominated by a select few.

"Tomorrow, you will see the finance minister with a briefcase. A photo will be taken, but you won't see a single Dalit, tribal, backward class, or minority person in the picture. Out of 90 officers preparing the budget tomorrow, only three are from OBC. Your population is 50 per cent, yet if 100 rupees are distributed in the budget, only five rupees will be decided by your officers," ANI quoted Gandhi as saying.

His comments came a day before the 2025 Union Budget, which will be presented by Sitharaman on February 1.

Targets AAP in Delhi

Gandhi then shifted his focus to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of excluding minority communities from his team.

"There are 9 people in Kejriwal's team, but there is no Dalit, Adivasi, backward class, or minority in this leadership team. This is also a party of just 2-3 per cent," Gandhi remarked.

The Congress MP from Rae Bareli also criticised Kejriwal for failing to clean the Yamuna after 10 years.

"Kejriwal had promised five years ago that he would drink Yamuna water and take a dip in it. Yet he is now walking around with a water bottle and blaming the Haryana government or someone else for the pollution. Kejriwal, the responsibility lies with you. Our fight is based on ideology, not opportunism," he added.

Gandhi further criticised the AAP government for destroying the infrastructure built by Congress during former CM Sheila Dikshit's tenure.

"Arvind Kejriwal arrived in a WagonR and went straight to the parking lot of Sheesh Mahal. The infrastructure that Sheila ji had built - roads, bridges, flyovers, and other development work - has been destroyed under his leadership," said Gandhi.