‘Stop Politicising Every Issue’: FM Nirmala Hits Back At Rahul Over Remarks on Tatas

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for allegedly politicising issues concerning Indian businesses and making what she described as baseless allegations against industry and institutions.

Defending the Narendra Modi-led government's policies on industry and entrepreneurship, Sitharaman contrasted the government's approach with the Congress's economic policies during its years in power. She also cautioned Gandhi against casually characterising commercial and legal matters as criminal.

In a strongly worded message, the Finance Minister accused the Congress leader of repeatedly questioning the achievements of Indian industry and entrepreneurs.

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi, Shah Of ‘Criminally Destroying’ Tata Group

The exchange came after Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the dispute, alleging that the Tata Group was being “criminally destroyed”.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Congress leader questioned the silence of business leaders and warned them against allowing the government to treat Indian businesses as its “plaything”.

“Indian business is not Modi and Shah’s plaything. You lack courage. We don’t. We will ensure justice for these crimes,” Rahul Gandhi wrote.

Nirmala Sitharaman's Message To Rahul Gandhi

Sitharaman urged Gandhi to refrain from politicising every issue, questioning whether he was attempting to encourage business leaders to join him in spreading distrust and toxicity.

She accused the Congress of suppressing the spirit of Indian entrepreneurship for decades through what she described as the stifling ‘Licence-Quota Raj’, which she said had contributed to widespread poverty.

The Finance Minister also questioned Gandhi's approach to commercial and legal matters, arguing that such issues should not be casually labelled criminal.

Sitharaman Defends Modi Government's Industry Policies

Defending the government's approach to the economy, Sitharaman said the Narendra Modi-led government viewed Indian industry as a creator of jobs and a driver of economic growth.

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? For decades, your party had smothered the spirit of the Indian entrepreneurs under the stifling ‘Licence-Quota Raj’ & 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. Political parties, leaders, governments and institutions share an equal responsibility to support our industry, strengthen our farmers and secure the future of our youth. Therefore, it is essential to engage constructively rather than casting baseless aspersions to suit your 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.

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 28, 2026

She said the government's policies had been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment.

Sitharaman further stressed that political parties, leaders, governments and institutions shared an equal responsibility to support industry, strengthen farmers and secure the future of the country's youth.

She called for constructive engagement, accusing Gandhi of making baseless allegations to serve narrow political interests.

Finance Minister Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Judiciary

Sitharaman also referred to the Constitution and the role of the judiciary, stating that the Constitution guaranteed justice to all citizens and that the courts were entrusted with upholding it.

She accused Gandhi, the Congress and prime ministers from the party of having demeaned the judiciary.

Concluding her message with a pointed remark, Sitharaman told the Congress leader to refrain from “seeing ghosts everywhere”.