Sitharaman hits out at Rahul Gandhi over Tata dispute

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticised Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the Tata dispute, accusing him of politicising the issue. Gandhi alleged Tata was being “criminally destroyed” amid challenge to Tata Sons’ board resolution to reappoint N Chandrasekaran

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday hit out at Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the Tata issue, accusing the Congress leader of trying to incite business leaders to join him in spreading distrust and toxicity. She urged him to refrain from “politicising” every issue.

Accusing Gandhi of repeatedly criticising the successes of Indian industry and entrepreneurs, Sitharaman said the Narendra Modi government values Indian industry as a source of jobs and a driver of economic growth.

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“Our policies have been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment,” Sitharaman said in response to a post on X by Gandhi, in which he claimed that “Tata is being criminally destroyed, and no business leader dares say a word”.

In her reply, Sitharaman said: “Being the LoP @RahulGandhi, I suggest you refrain from politicising every issue. Also, casually labelling commercial and legal matters as criminal is unacceptable. You have repeatedly decried the successes of Indian industry & our entrepreneurs. Now, are you trying to incite our business leaders to join you in spreading distrust & toxicity?”

Sitharaman also said that, for decades, the Congress had stifled the spirit of Indian entrepreneurs under the restrictive “Licence-Quota Raj” and “inflicted poverty” on crores of Indians.

“On the other hand, our government led by PM @narendramodi values the Indian industry as job creators & drivers of economic growth. Our policies have been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment,” she said.

Stating that political parties, leaders, governments and institutions share an equal responsibility to support industry, strengthen farmers and secure the future of young people, the minister said it was essential to engage constructively rather than make what she called baseless allegations to serve narrow political motives.

“The Constitution of India ensures justice to all its citizens & our Honourable Courts are entrusted with upholding it. History is witness to the shoddy manner in which you, your party and the PMs belonging to your party have demeaned the judiciary. So Rahul ji, refrain from seeing ghosts everywhere,” Sitharaman said.

Gandhi’s remarks came amid a dispute over Tata Sons’ leadership. Earlier this week, Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata challenged the September 17 board resolution to reappoint N Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group.

In his post on X, Gandhi said: “Tata is being criminally destroyed, and no business leader dares say a word. How long will you stay silent? Until they own you?

“Indian business is not (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Home Minister Amit) Shah’s plaything. You lack courage. We don’t. We will ensure justice for these crimes.”