Telangana snubbed: Who said what about Union Budget 2025-26?

Hyderabad: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2025-26 on January 2025, marking her eighth consecutive budget. Once again, Telangana has expressed disappointment over the lack of attention given to the state despite the BJP securing eight MP seats from Telangana in the general elections.
Despite hopes that the 2025 budget would address Telangana’s long-pending issues, including promised division-related funds and commitments, the state has once again been left out. Telangana leaders, such as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), have strongly criticized the central government’s indifference.
KTR Criticism
BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) accused both the BJP and Congress of failing to secure allocations for Telangana, despite the state sending 16 MPs, eight from each party, to Parliament. He claimed that Telangana’s BJP MPs have been ineffective, while alleging that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s dealings with the BJP have contributed to the state’s neglect.
KTR also highlighted the central government’s preference for BJP-ruled states, pointing out how other states, particularly Bihar, have secured significant funds while Telangana received none. He criticized the BJP-led central government for overlooking key areas for Telangana, such as higher education institutions and fulfillment of promises made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, including the establishment of the Bayyaram Steel Plant and national status for irrigation projects.
8 BJP MPs + 8 Congress MPs = ₹0 for Telangana.#Budget or #BudgetNeglect ?
— Kavitha Kalvakuntla (@RaoKavitha) February 1, 2025
TPCC President’s Response
Mahesh Kumar Goud, President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), congratulated Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the budget but criticized the government for neglecting the state. Mahesh kumar Goud expressed disappointment that Telangana did not receive any special allocations, despite contributing significantly to the nation’s GST. He accused the BJP of using the budget for political purposes, prioritizing Bihar’s election needs over Telangana’s development.
Mahesh Kumar Goud also raised concerns about the unmet promises made by Prime Minister Modi and BJP leaders during elections, questioning the government’s commitment to Telangana.
𝐓𝐏𝐂𝐂, 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚
Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and Telangana Minister Konda Surekha said they are disappointed as the union budget has allegedly done “grave… pic.twitter.com/DkdTT6jvqa
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) February 1, 2025
Harish Rao’s Response
Former Finance Minister Harish Rao expressed frustration, claiming that the 2025-26 Budget was politically motivated, with no regard for overall national development. He argued that the budget disproportionately favored election-bound states like Bihar, while neglecting Telangana. Harish Rao criticized the failure to honor commitments in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act and pointed out that Telangana’s 16 MPs had failed to secure any additional funds for the state.
Harish Rao highlighted that Telangana’s contribution to the national economy had been ignored and accused both BJP and Congress MPs of compromising the state’s interests for political gains.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s Defense
In contrast, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar defended the budget, highlighting measures aimed at benefiting the poor, middle class, farmers, and small businesses. He pointed to the revolutionary tax exemption of up to ₹12 lakh, which he claimed would provide substantial relief to employees and entrepreneurs, especially in Telangana.
Sanjay also outlined provisions for farmers, including access to loans of up to ₹5 lakh for over 50 lakh farmers in Telangana, through the Kisan Credit Card scheme. Additionally, the budget was hailed as a step toward making India the third-largest economy by 2027.
The budget also introduces several provisions to reduce the cost of essential goods, such as medicines, and aims to stimulate the power sector and urban development.
While the Union Budget 2025-26 includes provisions that benefit various sectors, Telangana has once again found itself at the receiving end of budgetary neglect. Both state and national leaders have expressed disappointment over the central government’s failure to fulfill promises and address the state’s key needs.