'Completely derailed to regional priority': Here's how leaders reacted to FM Sitharaman's Budget speech

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 presented the Union Budget 2025. Reacting on her speech, political leaders have now reacted on the finance minister's speech.

In big tax relief to the middle class, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that no income tax will be levied on income up to Rs 12 lakh under revised new tax regime. She announced several other measures in Union Budget 2025, focusing on areas such as agriculture and MSMEs.

While taking a swipe at the Centre, the Congress on Saturday said while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke of four engines of development, the Budget was "completely derailed".

BJP President JP Nadda praised the Union Budget 2025, calling it a "visionary roadmap" that aligns with the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. He stated, "The Union Budget 2025 is a visionary roadmap that embodies the aspirations and dreams of 140 crore Indians, lighting the way towards PM Narendra Modiji’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat.’"

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran called the Budget 2025 ‘very disappointing’. While speaking to reporters, he said, "The Budget seems to be like that, it's planned in such a way to woo the voters for Delhi, especially the Delhi elections coming on 5th February. The FM has given a big exemption saying that for Rs 12 Lakhs, there is no tax. Then she goes on to say that there is a slab of 10% for Rs 8-12 Lakhs. So, it is very confusing. I think the devil is in the details. She tries to promise the voters there is exemption of tax till Rs 12 Lakhs but this is not simple and straightforward. They have to claim in TDS and all these things...So, basically it's a let-down for the middle class once again. Middle class seems to be have been cheated by the FM once again. The infrastructure is not going for the rest of the country, it is going only towards Bihar because there are elections in Bihar this year...There is not a single word for Tamil Nadu or any other southern states..."

Congress MP Manish Tewari says, "I fail to understand that was this a budget of govt of India or was this a budget of govt of Bihar? Have you heard the name of another state than Bihar in the entire budgetary speech of the union finance minister?..."

"Bihar has also got priority and big projects have been announced for the state. This budget is for the welfare of poor, farmers and to help the middle class... This budget is such that it will generate employment opportunities. The announcement of the Makahna Board was special, and also for the projects that were announced for the region of Koshi River... I thank PM Modi and the union finance minister on behalf of the people of Bihar."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi says: "It's a victory of the middle class; mainly because of them (BJP in Lok Sabha elections) being limited to 240 seats. In the last 10 years, the middle class had this demand - today they have been heard and hence I welcome that (no income tax on income of up to Rs 12 lakhs). Second thing, Bihar must be thinking if it can have an election every year..."