New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- Congress MP Manickam Tagore said Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has "neglected" education, minority affairs, research and social spending and Tamil Nadu in the 2026 Union Budget.

Tagore further said that the push to rare earths and critical minerals in the budget is given for "close friends of PM Modi."

He added that the establishment of dedicated rare earth corridors will lead to "exploitation of forests and natural resources" of Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

"Nirmala Sitharaman has neglected education, minority affairs, and research and social spending. It's very clear that when you compare inflation numbers, there is a stagnation in spending... We were very happy that she speaks Tamil and wears Kanje...