The Lok Sabha witnessed a fiery confrontation today as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju went head-to-head during the ongoing Budget debate. The spark for the argument was Rahul Gandhi’s sharp accusation that the current government is “selling out” the country to a few billionaire friends. Gandhi argued that the 2026 Budget focuses on helping big corporations while ignoring the struggles of the common man, farmers, and the unemployed youth. He claimed that national assets are being handed over to private players in a way that hurts India’s long-term interests and social justice.
Minister Kiren Rijiju quickly hit back, calling Gandhi’s claims completely baseless and “irresponsible.” Rijiju defended the government’s economic policies, stating that the Budget is designed to build a modern India through massive infrastructure projects and digital growth. He accused the Congress party of spreading misinformation to create fear among the public. Rijiju argued that the “nation sold out” narrative is an old script used by the opposition to hide their own lack of a clear vision for the country’s development.
The debate grew even more intense when Gandhi mentioned specific business groups, leading to loud protests from the government benches. Rijiju challenged Gandhi to provide hard evidence for his claims, asserting that every policy of the Modi government is transparent and aimed at making India the world’s third-largest economy. As the two leaders traded barbs, the Speaker had to step in several times to bring the House back to order, reminding both sides that the Budget debate should focus on financial figures and public welfare rather than personal attacks.
