Union Budget 2026 – What Did Udupi District Congress and BJP Leaders Say?
Udupi: As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on Sunday, BJP leaders hailed it as a roadmap toward a “Developed India,” while Congress leaders termed it disappointing for the state and the coastal region.
“Like a Pickle Without Food” for the Coastal Region – Prasad Raj Kanchan
Congress leader Prasad Raj Kanchan described the budget as disappointing for Karnataka and the coastal districts, likening it to “a pickle without food” for the region.
He said that while generous allocations appeared to be made to several states with upcoming elections in mind, no significant development projects were announced for the coastal belt. He stressed that special focus should have been given to railway projects in the region, including additional trains and the expansion of double-line railway tracks. The absence of such announcements, he said, was deeply disappointing.
Kanchan also alleged that fishing activities and the development of coastal ports had been completely neglected. He suggested that coastal MPs may have failed to effectively present the region’s demands to the Centre, resulting in this perceived injustice. He termed the budget pro-rich and disappointing for the common people.
“A Foundation for Building a Young India” – Yashpal Suvarna
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna welcomed the budget, stating that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth budget would inject new energy into the economy and lay the foundation for building a “Young India” in line with the vision of a Developed India.
He highlighted key provisions such as the development of seven high-speed rail corridors, priority to the defence sector, incentives for IT companies to generate employment for youth, enhanced grants to states through the 16th Finance Commission, the “Shri Mart” scheme to promote women entrepreneurship, the construction of university townships and student hostels, and special emphasis on agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure.
He said these initiatives had created new hope among the people and would help India progress from the fourth-largest to the third-largest economy in the world.
“Coastal Districts Ignored Once Again” – Ramesh Kanchan
Udupi Block Congress President Ramesh Kanchan stated that the budget once again overlooked Karnataka and the coastal districts by failing to announce any new schemes.
He said there were high expectations for initiatives in fisheries, tourism, and port development, but no specific projects were announced for the region. He alleged that while the budget appeared to favour large industrialists, it did little to improve the livelihoods of the middle class.
Despite being a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, he said, the Finance Minister had failed to ensure justice for the state’s development. Expectations that the PM-Kisan assistance would be increased were also unmet, which he termed an injustice to farmers.
He further alleged that while substantial allocations were made to states such as West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Kerala—where Assembly elections are due this year—Karnataka received no new schemes. He described the budget as disappointing and neglectful of the coastal region.
“A Budget for Overall National Development” – Sunil Kumar
Former Minister Sunil Kumar welcomed the budget, stating that it supports the overall development of the country, including Karnataka. He said the focus on IT innovation, tourism, inland water transport, high-speed rail, MSMEs, and the service sector lays a strong foundation for a future-ready Karnataka.
He added that the budget gives importance to tourism, agriculture, horticulture, MSMEs, infrastructure, and economic corridor development, while also emphasizing environmental balance and climate change concerns.
According to him, the budget plays a crucial role in shaping India into a five-trillion-dollar economy.