Union Budget a stastical gimmick, nothing substantial for Andhra Pradesh: CPI(M)

CPI (M) leader B.V. Raghavulu criticises the Union Budget 2026-27 as a gimmick, neglecting welfare and cutting essential allocations for Andhra Pradesh.

Calling the Union Budget 2026-27 a statistical gimmick, CPI (M) Politburo member B. V. Raghavulu on Monday said it had belied the expectations of the common people by ignoring welfare schemes and cutting allocations for essential programmes. He said the Budget offered nothing substantial to Andhra Pradesh except a reduced allocation for the Polavaram project and funding for Amaravati in the form of a loan instead of a grant.

Addressing the media during the party’s State committee meeting here, Mr. Raghavulu said the previous Budget had provided over ₹5,000 crore for the Polavaram project, which had now been reduced to about ₹3,320 crore. He added that the assistance proposed for Amaravati was in the form of a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. As a result, he said, the completion of these projects would be delayed by decades.

He alleged that the proposed Rare Earth Corridor was aimed at benefiting corporates rather than local people. He suggested that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan should use their influence to secure tangible Central funds for the State. Andhra Pradesh was being treated unfairly despite the TDP and the Jana Sena Party being constituents of the NDA, he remarked.

Reacting to recent incidents of political violence in the State, Mr. Raghavulu said YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu should not have spoken about the Chief Minister in the manner he did. At the same time, he cautioned the TDP about the consequences of allegedly orchestrating attacks on YSRCP leaders. Both parties should refrain from vindictive politics in the larger interests of the State, he said.

The CPI (M) leader said the party would organise a Chalo Delhi agitation on March 24 against what he termed the anti-people policies of the NDA government and the passage of legislations in Parliament without taking the opposition parties into confidence.

He strongly objected to the Labour Codes, the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Nuclear Liability and Seed Bills, describing them as detrimental to the nation. The Budget had ignored welfare schemes and slashed allocations for essential programmes, he added.