Budget 2026–27 has no vision, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Union Budget 2026–27, saying it lacks policy vision and offers no solutions to key challenges such as jobs, inequality, manufacturing slowdown and federal stress, even as the government raised capital expenditure targets.

New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said the Modi government has run out of ideas, and the Union Budget for 2026-27 does not provide any single solution to India’s many economic, social and political challenges.

In a post on X, he said there is no policy vision or political will, and this Budget offers no solutions and not even slogans to hide the absence of policy.

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“The Modi Government has run out of ideas. #Budget2026 does not provide a single solution to India’s many economic, social, and political challenges.

“‘Mission Mode’ is now ‘Challenge Route’. Reform Express rarely stops at any “Reform” Junction. Net result: NO policy vision, NO political will,” he said in his post.

Kharge said farmers still await meaningful welfare support or an income security plan. “Inequality has surpassed the levels seen under the British Raj, but the Budget does not even mention it or provide any support to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Minority communities.

“The Finance Commission’s recommendations will have to be studied more, but they do not appear to provide any relief to State Governments, which are under severe financial stress. Federalism has become a casualty,” he said.

Highlighting what is missing and where it matters, the Congress chief said there is no revival strategy for manufacturing, which is stuck at 13 per cent, and asked, “Where is ‘Make in India’?”

“Jobs: no serious plan for employability for our Youth or increasing participation of women in workforce. What is the outcome of earlier internship and skill development schemes?

“Exports/Trade: no response to export slump, tariff risks, trade deficit, shrinking global share. Any plan for the plunging Rupee? Poor & Middle class: no inflation relief; savings falling, debt rising, wages stagnating. Why no idea to reboot consumer demand?” he said.

“Private investment: no confidence signal – FDI and wage stagnation ignored. Why only minor adjustments, no structural reforms? Infrastructure: promises repeated, delivery missing, cities still unlivable. When will we have “Smart Cities” or even liveable cities?

“Social Security: There was not a single substantial announcement on social security and welfare. There is not one word on the allocation for the new law that has replaced MGNREGA. Why?” he further said.

“This Budget offers no solutions, NOT even slogans to hide the absence of policy!” the Congress chief said. In her speech, Sitharaman announced that the target for capex will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27 from Rs 11.2 lakh crore earmarked for the current fiscal year.

She also announced a slew of measures to boost infrastructure in the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The budget came in the backdrop of global uncertainties, trade frictions and US tariffs and slowdown in exports. With Union Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman created history as she presented her ninth consecutive Budget and became the longest-serving Finance Minister.