Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor delivered a sharp critique of the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, describing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's budget speech as notably brief and lacking in concrete specifics. Tharoor expressed concerns that the budget failed to provide adequate reassurance for middle-class and lower-middle-class citizens across India.
Tharoor's Assessment of Budget Speech and Content
In an interview with the Press Trust of India, Tharoor remarked that the finance minister's address was relatively short compared to previous years. He noted that while the speech contained numerous subheadings, it offered very few detailed plans or clear allocations. This lack of specificity made it challenging to form a comprehensive opinion on the budget's overall impact.
Tharoor emphasized that on major issues, there appeared to be little for the middle class and lower middle class. He also pointed out that states did not receive significant attention in terms of financial support or developmental projects.
Concerns Over Fiscal Devolution and State Finances
The Congress MP highlighted that fiscal devolution to states remains unchanged at forty-one percent, which he argued is insufficient for many states to meet their obligations to citizens and voters. Tharoor described this as a genuine concern, suggesting that states require more substantial financial assistance from the central government to address local needs effectively.
Kerala's Specific Grievances and Omissions
Tharoor particularly focused on Kerala's absence from key budget announcements. He mentioned that Kerala has been awaiting an All India Institute of Medical Sciences for nearly fifteen years, yet no announcement was made in the budget regarding this long-pending project.
Although the budget referenced the establishment of All India Institutes of Ayurveda, it did not specify locations. Tharoor argued that Kerala, as a major centre for Ayurveda, should logically be considered for such an institute, but no promises were made. He noted that Kerala was only mentioned briefly in contexts related to rare earths and turtle trails, which he found inadequate.
Disappointment Over Lack of Concrete Projects
Expressing his disappointment, Tharoor stated that he hopes some of the subheadings mentioned in the speech will eventually translate into tangible projects and programs. While acknowledging the importance of sectors like cashews and fisheries, he lamented that where details were provided, they fell short of expectations.
Political Context and Election Expectations
Ahead of the budget speech, Tharoor had pointed to the approaching assembly elections in Kerala and expressed expectations for benefits from the central government for his Lok Sabha constituency. He reiterated that with elections on the horizon, Kerala is keenly observing what support the central government might offer.
Congress Party's Broader Criticism
The Congress party intensified its attack on the budget, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh labeling it as insipid and lacklustre. Ramesh criticized the budget speech for failing to meet pre-budget hype and accused it of being non-transparent regarding allocations for key programs and schemes.
In a social media post immediately after the budget speech, Ramesh wrote that while detailed study of budget documents is necessary, it is clear that Budget 2026-27 falls woefully short of expectations. He described the speech as totally lacklustre and lacking transparency, as it provided no insight into budgetary allocations for important initiatives.
The Congress party's criticism underscores ongoing political tensions and highlights concerns about the budget's effectiveness in addressing economic challenges and regional disparities.
