India’s southern states call Budget 2025 discriminatory, biased
Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have criticized the Budget presented by Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it discriminatory and biased against southern states.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the Budget reflects the Modi regime’s political approach, focusing more on states preparing for elections, which he deemed highly deplorable.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took to social media to express disappointment, stating that the Modi-led Indian government had failed to meet even a single demand put forth by the state. “The demands are numerous — highways and railway projects, Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rail projects,” said Stalin. “Why has nothing been given? What is stopping you?”
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also criticized the Budget, calling it disappointing. He said it did not address any of the state’s demands. “The RSS-backed BJP government has not announced any of the projects we requested from Karnataka in this Budget,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka added that the Indian Budget failed to address the state’s concerns, allocating excessive funds to Bihar through various schemes and initiatives, while neglecting Telangana’s genuine demands.
The leaders from these southern states raised the question: Why is it called a ‘Union’ Budget if the plans and funds are announced “only for the states where elections are being held and where the BJP coalition is in power?”
