SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav Lambasts Union Budget 2026-27 as 'Humpty Dumpty' Budget Favoring Elite
In a scathing critique of the recently presented Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of crafting a financial plan that exclusively caters to the interests of a privileged minority. Drawing parallels to previous years, Yadav asserted that this budget, much like its predecessors, appears designed to benefit only the top 5% of the population, leaving the vast majority—95%—in the lurch.
Budget 2026-27: A 'Humpty Dumpty' Affair with Nothing for the Common Man
Echoing the sentiments of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who derided the budget as a 'Humpty Dumpty' package with nothing for the common man or Bengal, Akhilesh Yadav launched a multi-pronged attack on the Centre's economic policies. He demanded transparency, urging the government to declare the per capita income of the 95% and detail its efforts toward ensuring social justice. "The BJP only focuses on the 'development' of its own people," Yadav stated, highlighting what he perceives as a deliberate neglect of critical sectors.
Key Areas of Neglect: Education, Agriculture, and Healthcare
Yadav pinpointed several areas where the budget falls short, arguing that without substantial investment, India's developmental dreams remain elusive. His criticisms include:
- Education Sector: He lamented the lack of funding for education, questioning how a developed India can be envisioned without a conducive learning environment.
- Farmers and Unemployed Youth: The budget offers little for farmers, unemployed youth, traders, or women, according to Yadav, exacerbating economic disparities.
- Healthcare Crisis: Pointing to the absence of basic facilities at institutions like AIIMS in Uttar Pradesh due to shortages of technical staff and doctors, he emphasized the dire state of public healthcare.
Economic Mismanagement and Soaring Costs
Further intensifying his critique, Yadav highlighted specific instances of what he termed economic mismanagement. He cited the Bullet train project, whose costs have allegedly ballooned from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 2 lakh crore, as a symbol of fiscal imprudence. "The budget is only swelling," he remarked, accusing the BJP of focusing on 'reforms' that are leading India toward 'deforms'. Additionally, he slammed the uncontrolled hike in prices of gold and silver, sarcastically noting that most women might now only afford ornaments made of iron with brass plating, underscoring the impact on household economies.
SP MP Dimple Yadav Joins the Fray
Adding to the chorus of disapproval, SP MP Dimple Yadav criticized the budget's presentation, describing the jargon in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's address as difficult for the common man to understand. She echoed Akhilesh's sentiments, stating that the budget lacks substantial provisions for women, youth, or the manufacturing sector, further alienating the masses.
Broader Implications for India's Economy
Yadav warned that by ignoring farmers' markets and the dairy sector, the BJP is destroying the basic structure of the economy. He also linked environmental concerns, such as pollution, to economic losses, arguing that it deters investment and costs lives. This comprehensive indictment paints a picture of a budget that, in the SP's view, prioritizes elite interests over holistic national development, sparking debates on equity and governance as India navigates its fiscal future.
