FM Sitharaman Challenges Rahul Gandhi to Budget Debate: 'Ready With Facts'

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the Union Budget 2026-27, asserting the economy's strong fundamentals.
• Sitharaman emphasized the Budget's focus on stability and protection for vulnerable sections amidst global uncertainty, highlighting schemes for textiles and ordinary citizens.
• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, criticized the Budget as "blind to India’s real crises," citing unemployment, falling manufacturing, and farmer distress.
• Gandhi accused the government of ignoring urgent national challenges and failing to address economic distress, calling it a Budget that "refuses course correction."
• The Budget proposes raising capital expenditure to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27 and emphasizes infrastructure development in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Why It Matters: FM Sitharaman challenged Rahul Gandhi to a fact-based debate on the Union Budget, defending its economic stability.