Rahul Gandhi politicising commercial and legal matters: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday accused leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi of politicising commercial and legal matters after he commented on an internal tussle within the Tata group. "Casually labelling commercial and legal matters as criminal is unacceptable," Sitharaman said on X.

She was responding to Gandhi's post that 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 Modi and Shah's plaything. You lack courage. We don't. We will ensure justice for these crimes."

Sitharaman said the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi values Indian industry as job creators and drivers of economic growth.


Read more: Rahul Gandhi responds to FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Tata row, seeks answers on meeting at Amit Shah’s residence

"Our policies have been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment," she said.

The finance minister said that Gandhi has repeatedly decried the successes of Indian industry and entrepreneurs. "Now, are you trying to incite our business leaders to join you in spreading distrust and toxicity?" she said in her post. "For decades, your (Congress) party had smothered the spirit of the Indian entrepreneurs under the stifling 'Licence-Quota Raj' and inflicted poverty on crores of Indians," she alleged.

Gandhi's comments came in the backdrop of a tussle involving Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata and Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran.

Later, responding to Sitharaman, the Congress leader posted on X: "Which 'legal and commercial matter' required Tata Trusts and Tata Sons to be hosted at Amit Shah's residence?"

He further alleged: "When is crony number 1 going to appear in the game and which piece of Tata is he going to get?... Finally, all India's businesses except 3-4 of your cronies, already hate all of you and don't need any incitement."

Sitharaman, in her post, said political parties, leaders, governments and institutions share an equal responsibility to support industry, strengthen farmers and secure the future of youth. "Therefore, it is essential to engage constructively rather than casting baseless aspersions to suit your narrow political motives," she said.

The minister further said the Constitution of India ensures justice to all its citizens. "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," she added.