New Delhi [India], February 3 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday asserted that the 2025-26 Union Budget reflects the 2047 Viksit Bharat vision, adding that the country is a pull factor for global economic growth.
Citing his recent visit to Switzerland's Davos, CM Naidu said that people all over the world are watching India's development.
"People all over the world are watching India's development. Even during my recent visit to Davos, I saw a lot of interest in India's development. India is a pull factor for global economic growth. Through artificial intelligence, India is going to play a very important role in the global economy," the Andhra Chief Minister said, addressing a media briefing.
"People are thinking narrowly. If you look at the Budget, it reflects the 2047 Viksit Bharat," he added.
Naidu, further drawing a comparison between ideology and development, said, "There is a huge difference between ideology and development. Be on the right side, not on the left side. Then we can move forward. If you are on the left side, you will be isolated, ignored, and permanently remain on the left side."
"Right development is the right politics. Only sustainability creates wealth. If you want to create wealth, you have to focus on development," he added.
"Long ago, I had said that communism is over; only tourism will prosper. Even China is communist in politics, but not in development or the economy. I am very clear that the Union Budget is in the right direction, on the right track. Some people are saying, 'What have you got?' We have got everything. I am completely confident about this," the Andhra CM noted.
Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025 in the Lok Sabha, outlining a roadmap for India's continued economic expansion, emphasising agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), investment, and exports.
She also announced that no income tax will be payable on income up to Rs 12 lakh, providing significant relief to taxpayers, especially the middle class.
"To taxpayers up to Rs 12 lakh of normal income (other than special rate income such as capital gains), tax rebate is being provided in addition to the benefit due to slab rate reduction in such a manner that there is no tax payable by them," the minister said.
Congress and other Opposition parties slammed the Union Budget, saying that it was silent on the problem of unemployment and accused the government of "throttling MGNREGA."