Union Budget 2026: Mamata Banerjee Calls Union Budget A ‘Humpty Dumpty’ Exercise

Union Budget 2026 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a strong attack on the Union Budget 2026–27, describing it as a 'directionless and visionless Humpty Dumpty Budget' that fails to address the needs of ordinary citizens or the state of West Bengal. Her remarks underline growing political friction ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Speaking to reporters at Kolkata airport before leaving for New Delhi, Banerjee accused the Centre of offering rhetoric without substance, claiming that crucial sectors have been neglected and existing challenges ignored.

Strong Criticism Of Budget Priorities

Banerjee alleged that the Budget reflects a lack of planning and concern for social welfare. “This Budget is directionless, visionless, actionless and anti-people. It is anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-education and against SCs, STs and OBCs. There is nothing on offer for Bengal in this Humpty Dumpty Budget,” she said.

According to the chief minister, reductions in allocations for education, social security subsidies and fertiliser subsidies could have long-term consequences. She warned that such decisions would weaken economic stability and disrupt growth momentum.

“This is a garbage of lies and Himalayan incompetence. The economy will be totally derailed,” Banerjee alleged, signalling deep concern over the Budget’s broader impact.

Market Reaction Cited As Evidence

Highlighting the immediate response from financial markets, Banerjee linked the Budget announcements to falling indices. “The Sensex fell by over 1,100 points and the Nifty 50 slipped below 25,000. You can clearly see the impact,” she said.

She suggested that investor sentiment reflected uncertainty created by the Budget, reinforcing her argument that the proposals lack clarity and confidence-building measures.

Allegations Of Bengal Being Ignored

Reiterating her long-standing claim that West Bengal has been sidelined, Banerjee questioned what tangible benefits the state had received. “For West Bengal, what have they given? Nothing. They talk big, but offer nothing,” she said.

She argued that despite Bengal’s contribution to national revenue, the state continues to be deprived of its rightful financial dues, adding to fiscal strain at the regional level.

Infrastructure Claims Questioned

Banerjee also dismissed the Centre’s infrastructure announcements as repetitive and misleading. Referring to freight corridor proposals, she said, “The freight corridor was mentioned in my Railway Budget in 2009. I had mentioned Dankuni and Amritsar. There has been no spending on this for the last 15 years.”

She further challenged the announcement of three new economic corridors, stating, “We have already announced six economic corridors. What they have said about three corridors is a lie.”

Investment And Economic Corridors In Focus

Contrary to claims of stagnation, Banerjee said investment was already flowing into Bengal-led projects, particularly the ‘Jungle Sundari’ economic corridor in Purulia.

“For this corridor, Rs 72,000 crore is going to be invested. Investors have shown interest to set up cement, coal, leather and steel units,” she said, asserting that state-level initiatives were driving growth despite central neglect.

Federal Structure And Institutional Concerns

The chief minister accused the Centre of withholding funds owed to the state. “Now, there is only one tax. What they are collecting from Bengal, they are not giving us our dues, which is more than Rs 2 lakh crore... Hence, they don't have any moral authority to run the government and destroy the country like this,” she said.

Banerjee also warned of deeper systemic issues, alleging 'systematic erosion' across institutions and governance structures.

“They (the BJP) want to destroy the economic and constitutional structure of this country, including independent agencies, infrastructure facilities. The social structure, federal structure... all of these are vanishing,” she added.