New Delhi, Feb 11 (NationPress) Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde on Wednesday voiced his strong endorsement of the Union Budget 2026 while launching a fierce critique against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding his remarks on the India-US trade agreement.

During the Lok Sabha debate on the Union Budget, Shinde extended his congratulations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget for the ninth consecutive year.

He highlighted that the magnitude of the Budget signifies the economic advancement of the country over the last decade.

"As a young individual, I wish to convey to the current generations the strides our nation has made. In the fiscal year 2013-14, the Union Budget stood at merely Rs 16.5 crore, but now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, it has ballooned to Rs 53.5 crore. Achieving victory for the third time indicates threefold progress," he stated.

Shinde further lambasted the Opposition MPs for their continuous disruptions in the House and specifically targeted Rahul Gandhi regarding the controversy surrounding former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane's unpublished memoir.

In a mockery of Gandhi's remarks during the Budget discussion, Shinde alluded to the LoP's martial arts analogy.

"Even today, I only heard 'grip, choke'. Is this a discussion on the Budget or martial arts? If we were interested in a martial arts class, we would definitely seek your expertise. However, I believe that next time the LoP speaks, a disclaimer should be displayed stating, 'This speech is purely fictional and bears no relation to actual events,'" Shinde quipped.

He also referenced insights from former Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subbarao's autobiography to refute Opposition allegations concerning the economic state.

Quoting the former RBI Governor, Shinde remarked, "The Finance Ministry pressured the RBI to ease interest rates and present an overly optimistic economic outlook."

He claimed that those currently questioning the economy had previously manipulated economic forecasts. "The individuals here today, who are asserting that the economy is in jeopardy, had previously distorted the image of economic growth," he noted.

In a strong rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi's comments on the India-US agreement, Shinde dismissed the criticism and mocked the internal unity of the INDIA bloc. "He claimed that the government's policies lack grip. Alongside this, he dreams of the INDIA bloc striking a deal with America. While dreaming is beneficial, daydreaming can be quite detrimental. Before engaging with America, the INDIA bloc allies must first resolve their internal differences," he stated.

He further critiqued the political history of the Opposition alliance. "Those whose political agreements are failing in every state are discussing international relations... they should prioritize their home, their nation, and then the world," he asserted.

Continuing his attack on Gandhi, Shinde pointed out the LoP's comments about choking, asserting that the Congress party has faced numerous electoral defeats in recent years. "He (Rahul Gandhi) also spoke about choking. People have effectively choked his party over the past 12 years," he remarked, emphasizing that Congress has lost elections 96 times during this timeframe.

Addressing Gandhi's assertion that India's textile sector would suffer under the trade agreement, Shinde contended that the sector remains robust on the global scene. "They (Opposition) claim we have sold Bharat Mata, and Rijiju stated that no one has the audacity to sell India. However, it is essential to remember who defied Bharat Mata during their tenure (UPA era)," he said, mentioning Aksai Chin and Katchatheevu island as examples.

Shinde also challenged Gandhi's assertion that the United States regards India and Pakistan equally. Referring to recent comments by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Shinde highlighted the statement's implications for Pakistan's standing in global geopolitics.

He quoted Asif's statement that the "US treated Pakistan like a piece of toilet paper and discarded it."

"This reflects Pakistan's status. Yet some individuals attempt to tarnish India's reputation, both abroad and within this House," Shinde remarked.

The Shiv Sena leader praised the Budget, defining it as a reflection of a 'New India' where focus is directed towards education, healthcare, and job creation.