Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and P Chidambaram expressed mixed reactions to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s recent Budget announcement. While they criticized the overall approach, they found one aspect particularly commendable.
Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP, labeled the Budget as lackluster, criticizing it for not addressing significant issues affecting the common man. He noted the absence of important topics such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and questioned the government’s commitment to improving income levels.
Tharoor deemed the employment initiatives in the Budget as inadequate, describing them as mere “token gestures.” However, he was supportive of Sitharaman’s decision to abolish the angel tax, a move Tharoor had long advocated.
Similarly, P Chidambaram, a former finance minister, acknowledged the positive step of eliminating the angel tax. He highlighted that this provision was part of the Congress party’s manifesto, suggesting that Sitharaman’s move echoed some of the Congress’s previously proposed ideas.
Chidambaram also pointed out other manifesto proposals like the Employment-linked Incentive (ELI) and an apprenticeship scheme that were incorporated into the Budget. He expressed regret that other key suggestions from the Congress manifesto were overlooked.
Both leaders’ responses reflect a broader sentiment of cautious approval mixed with disappointment regarding the Budget’s broader scope and effectiveness.