Akhilesh Yadav slams Union Budget, raises social justice and trade concerns in Lok Sabha

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday launched a sharp, wide-ranging attack on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, accusing the BJP-led government of lacking vision on social justice, inclusive growth, and balanced regional development. He also questioned the Centre’s economic priorities, particularly its handling of the proposed India–US trade agreement.

Leading the Opposition’s charge during the Budget debate, Yadav said the government had failed to address the needs of backward classes, marginalised communities, and youth, despite projecting ambitious development goals and global partnerships.

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“My focus is on ground realities, not hollow promises,” he said.

Yadav argued that the Budget does not present a credible roadmap for social justice, employment generation, or equitable regional growth. He claimed that proposed financial measures fall short of improving conditions for backward classes, Dalits, and minorities, who continue to face structural exclusion.

Questioning the government’s claims of robust economic growth, he said the benefits were not reaching those who need them most. “The gains are concentrated in one place, not shared across society,” he remarked.

Extending his critique to foreign trade policy, Yadav expressed scepticism over ongoing India–US trade negotiations, alleging that the government had failed to secure favourable terms. “The agreement with America is not moving in the right direction. Instead of daydreaming, the government must face reality,” he said.

He also challenged the Centre’s claim of successfully concluding free trade agreements with several countries, asking how many nations still remain outside such arrangements.

His remarks came amid reports of an India–US joint statement indicating that India may reduce or eliminate tariffs on certain US industrial and agricultural products, triggering concerns among domestic producers.

Yadav questioned the consistency of government slogans such as ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Swadeshi’ in light of these proposed concessions. “These slogans sound attractive, but are they losing meaning because of this deal?” he asked.

Using a striking metaphor, he said, “The lion of Make in India is eating junk,” suggesting that the flagship manufacturing initiative is being weakened by policy contradictions and rising dependence on imports.

Highlighting regional imbalances, Yadav accused the Centre of discriminating against opposition-ruled states such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. He questioned why major infrastructure projects, including bullet train corridors, bypass these populous states.

“Why is there no bullet train in Bengal, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh? This reflects discrimination by the BJP government,” he said, also flagging delays in metro projects and unfulfilled commitments. He cited the stalled metro project in Varanasi as an example.

Yadav’s intervention came amid heightened political tensions in Parliament, with reports that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is facing a no-confidence notice. However, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi did not support the motion, citing procedural norms.

Overall, Yadav’s speech reinforced the Opposition’s broader narrative that the Union Budget is not merely an economic document but a political statement reflecting the government’s priorities and its shortcomings, on social justice, federal equity, and economic self-reliance.