Coldplay Says He’ll Fix You, FM Says You’re Doing Well: Shashi Tharoor’s Colorful Jibe on Budget 2025
In a tongue-in-cheek retort, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has taken a dig at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025, saying that "Coldplay" (Chris Martin) would be the one to "fix" the economy, while Sitharaman would be singing "You’re doing well" to describe the state of the country’s finances.
Tharoor, known for his quick wit and sharp tongue, made the remark while reacting to the Union Budget 2025, which was presented in the Lok Sabha on February 7. Speaking to an English daily, he said, "If Chris Martin from Coldplay were to come and look at our economy, he would be the one to fix it. But our Finance Minister would probably be singing ‘You’re doing well’!"
Tharoor’s comment is a clever play on words, referencing the title track of Coldplay’s 2005 album "X&Y", which features the lyrics "You’re so high, you’re so cold, you’re so low, so low." The Congress MP was poking fun at the FM’s claims that the economy is on the mend, suggesting that a external expert like Martin, known for his thought-provoking lyrics, would be better equipped to fix the country’s economic woes.
The remark is a departure from the usual political bromides that one expects from a seasoned politician like Tharoor, who is known for his articulate oratory skills. His colorfully constructed jibe has sent out a clear signal to the government that the Opposition is not convinced by the budget’s promises of a robust economic recovery.
Tharoor’s observation has sparked a vibrant debate on social media, with many taking sides on the issue. While some users echoed Tharoor’s sentiments, others defended the FM’s budget, terming it a bold step towards fiscal discipline.
The thrust of Tharoor’s remark is that, despite the FM’s assertions of growth, the economy is still grappling with numerous challenges, including high inflation, unemployment, and growing income inequality. In his budget, Sitharaman’s focus on fiscal consolidation and monetary policy has been seen by many as a measured approach, which may not yield immediate results but could help steer the economy towards a more sustainable trajectory.
Tharoor’s words have sent a strong message to the government, indicating that the Opposition will continue to scrutinize the budget’s claims and not merely genuflect to the FM’s words. As the country navigates the challenges of economic growth, it remains to be seen how the government responds to Tharoor’s offset, and whether the stimulus measures announced in the budget will be enough to breathe new life into the struggling economy. For now, the verbal jousting has added a dash of color to the usually staid corridors of power in India.
