BJP's Bold Budget in Delhi: Ambitious Plans Amid Rising Debt and Skepticism

Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made a historic budget speech on March 25, 2025, marking her first-ever budget presentation since taking office. The speech, which stretched over two hours, was the longest in the history of the Delhi Vidhan Sabha. The budget's outlay of ₹1,00,000 crore was a staggering 31.6% higher than the previous year, cementing it as the most ambitious fiscal plan the capital has ever seen.

Delhi’s Historic Budget: Ambitious Plans for Growth Amid Rising Debt and Skepticism

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reclaiming power in Delhi after 26 years, the new government made a strong statement, aligning the budget with the themes that helped them win the recent elections. The BJP's campaign had centered around the promise of a “double engine government,” emphasizing development through robust cooperation between the state and the central government. This budget reflects that vision with significant backing from the Centre, signaling an aggressive approach to both development and welfare.

During Gupta’s speech, the dominant chants of “Modi, Modi” and the frequent thumping of desks from BJP members underscored the central role Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national government would play in implementing the ambitious agenda. Gupta’s remarks often highlighted the pivotal contribution of the Centre in fulfilling the BJP's election promises and ensuring the capital's advancement.

However, as the budget rolled out its bold projections, questions were raised about the sustainability and feasibility of such an expansive fiscal plan. While the figure of ₹1,00,000 crore may look impressive, concerns about Delhi’s rising debt and the overall financial health of the state lingered in the background.

The Promise of Change vs. Rising Debt

Despite the grand claims of transformative change and development, the budget's ambitious scope faces an underlying challenge: the state's ballooning debt. The latest financial reports indicate that Delhi’s debt is rapidly increasing, which could strain the government's ability to meet its obligations in the near future. Critics argue that while the budget's scale is impressive, it may only deepen the state’s financial instability unless accompanied by concrete plans to manage or reduce the debt burden.

Additionally, skepticism persists about the execution of many welfare schemes that had been central to the BJP’s electoral promises. Despite repeated references to new initiatives and reforms, many of the welfare programs outlined in the budget resemble older, unfulfilled promises. Critics point out that these programs were already part of the political discourse under previous administrations but were either delayed or underfunded. The true test will be whether this government can move beyond rhetoric and deliver on its promises.

A Budget Focused on Development

The core of Gupta's budget focuses heavily on infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and social welfare schemes. In line with the "double engine government" narrative, the BJP leadership has stressed that the central government’s support will provide the necessary push to drive Delhi’s growth. The budget seeks to enhance Delhi's infrastructure with new transport projects, while also proposing significant increases in funding for healthcare facilities and social security.

Despite this focus on development, critics have pointed out that the new government must be careful not to replicate the mistakes of previous administrations, where high promises were not matched by effective implementation. Many of these schemes have been announced before, leaving some to question whether the new administration can deliver tangible results.

The Road Ahead: Can BJP Deliver on its Ambitious Budget?

As Delhi embarks on a new phase under the BJP’s leadership, the budget serves as a bold statement of intent. But questions about its long-term sustainability remain. Will the financial backing from the Centre be enough to stabilize Delhi’s debt and ensure the successful delivery of the proposed schemes? Or will the ambitious outlay only add to the growing financial burden?

For now, Delhi's residents, lawmakers, and business leaders will be watching closely. The BJP has set high expectations, and the coming months will reveal whether it can turn its record-breaking budget into a reality or whether the capital’s growing debt and unfulfilled promises will overshadow its plans for transformation.