In a sharp critique from Patna, partners of the Grand Alliance on Sunday lambasted the Union Budget 2026-27, branding it not merely as the "most directionless" budget in the post-Independence era but also as "highly disappointing." The political coalition expressed deep disillusionment among the people of Bihar, pointing out that the state was not even mentioned in the financial document, a stark contrast to the previous two Union Budgets.
Budget Fails to Address Core Issues, Say Leaders
Former MLA and chief state RJD spokesman Shakti Singh Yadav voiced strong concerns, stating, "The Budget has given no clue on controlling spiralling price rise, nor does it have any roadmap for uplifting the lives of the poor." He highlighted that residents of Bihar had harbored hopes for discussions on special category status and a special economic package, but these expectations were met with disappointment.
Bihar's Omission Sparks Outrage
Another RJD spokesman, Chitranjan Gagan, emphasized the glaring omission, noting that the Union finance minister had referenced Bihar 11 times in the 2024-25 Budget and eight times in the 2025-26 Budget. However, in the latest presentation on Sunday, Bihar was not mentioned even once. "She forgot Bihar altogether, even though Bihar helped in the formation of the NDA government at the Centre," Gagan remarked, adding that the demands of 78 lakh pensioners under the EPS-95 scheme were also ignored.
Congress Joins Criticism
State Congress chief Rajesh Ram echoed these sentiments, accusing the Union finance minister of "totally ignoring" the interests of Bihar. He pointed out that while several populist announcements were made for the state in the 2024–25 and 2025–26 Union Budgets, none had been implemented. Ram alleged that the current budget extended multiple benefits to the corporate sector while neglecting small investors and the middle class.
"She made many tall claims on development, but presented no solid scheme for the growth of the agriculture sector and employment generation," Ram stated. He further criticized the pruning of fund allocations for critical sectors such as education and health, underscoring the budget's perceived shortcomings in addressing key societal needs.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The Grand Alliance's condemnation adds to a growing chorus of dissent against the Union Budget 2026-27, with leaders arguing that it fails to provide a clear direction for economic recovery or social welfare. The omission of Bihar, a state with significant political and economic influence, has particularly fueled accusations of neglect and oversight in central planning.
As debates continue, the focus remains on how this budget will impact the common man and whether future amendments might address the concerns raised by Bihar's political representatives. The criticism underscores the ongoing tensions between state aspirations and central budgetary priorities in India's federal structure.
