Budget 2025 Political Reactions Highlights: Budget offers ‘band-aid for bullet wounds’, BJP trying to woo voters in Bihar, Delhi: Oppn

"If you take the economy forward, there are some broader challenges that need to be addressed. She (Finance Minister) said she is going to come to up with some tax proposals later beyond this as well... But if you look at objectively what's happening in our economy, there is a serious crisis of lack of investment, compounding a serious problem of unemployment and underemployment in our country. GDP growth has dropped... they are projecting it at 6.4 per cent, which is well below what they talked about last year, but in any case, if you want to get to the Viksit Bharat, which the PM talks about by 2047, you need 8% (growth)..." says Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

EXCLUSIVE | VIDEO: "If you take the economy forward, there are some broader challenges that need to be addressed. She (Finance Minister) said she is going to come to up with some tax proposals later beyond this as well... But if you look at objectively what's happening in our… pic.twitter.com/9iFvk2tT7Z

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 1, 2025

On Union Budget 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "Government employees live in large numbers in Delhi. There are many units of business, small and medium businesses, high-end businesses and the MSME sector in Delhi, so the people of Delhi will especially benefit from this. The middle class and salaried earners live in such large numbers in Delhi. There are people from the army, central government employees, and state government employees. Everyone including small traders will benefit. People from the MSME sector will benefit. I think every citizen of Delhi will celebrate today and I feel that today every person of Delhi has got a very big gift from respected Prime Minister Modi...."

On Union Budget 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "I think frankly the applause you heard from the BJP benches was for the middle-class tax cut. We look at the details and that may be a good thing. So if you have a salary you may be paying less tax. But the important question is what happens if we don't have a salary? Where is the income going to come from? For you to benefit from income tax relief, you actually need jobs. Unemployment was not mentioned by the Finance Minister... Ironic that the party that wants one nation, one election is actually using each election each state each year to give them more freebies. They may as well have multiple elections so they can get more applause from their allies."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has lauded Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting what he calls a "dream budget" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressing his enthusiasm, Fadnavis highlighted the significant tax relief for the middle class, stating, "The income tax exemption slab has been modified, raising the exemption limit to ₹12 lakh. This landmark announcement will be a game-changer for India's economy."

He emphasized that the move will boost disposable income, drive consumer demand, and benefit the MSME sector, ultimately leading to job creation. "With increased spending power, demand will rise, benefiting small and medium enterprises and generating employment. The economic impact will be vast," he noted.

Fadnavis also praised the Budget’s focus on agriculture, acknowledging several new schemes introduced to support farmers. Calling it a "pathbreaking" and forward-looking Budget, he added, "This Budget paves a new path for the 21st century, ensuring inclusive growth and economic prosperity."

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari called the latest Budget “a transformative blueprint for empowering farmers, the middle class and MSMEs, paving the way for Viksit Bharat 2047”. “Extending my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to PM Narendra Modi and FM Nirmala Sitharaman for a visionary budget that sets the course for India's economic leadership by 2047. This progressive roadmap strengthens key sectors, ensuring inclusive growth through strategic investments and transformative policies,” Nitin Gadkari posted on X.

He further wrote, “Anchored in the pillars of Innovation, Inclusion, and Investment, it emphasizes reforms, youth leadership, community participation, women empowerment, and Centre-State collaborations to drive holistic development. By fostering entrepreneurship, digital expansion, and robust infrastructure, it paves the way for sustained prosperity. With resilience and sustainable growth at its core, this budget reaffirms Bharat’s commitment to self-reliance, progress, and global excellence.”

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami tweets, "A big gift for the middle class. Under the visionary and strong leadership of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, an important decision has been taken to make the income of Rs 12 lakh tax-free under the Union Budget 2025-26, giving a big relief to the middle class. Certainly, this welfare decision will benefit the common man of the country including the middle class. This decision will not only encourage economic development but will also bring positive changes in the lifestyle of the people. Thanks for this historic decision- Congratulations to the successful Prime Minister..."

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to X and posted, "The FM spoke of 4 engines: Agriculture, MSMEs, Investment and Exports. So many engines that the Budget has been completely derailed."