New Delhi [India], October 28 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday hit back at Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman over her remarks on his allegations concerning the Tata Group, questioning why Tata Trusts and Tata Sons were hosted at Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence and asking when “crony number 1” would enter the picture.
Replying to Sitharaman in a post on X, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) wrote, "Dear Mrs Sitharaman, 1. Which "legal and commercial matter" required Tata Trusts and Tata Sons to be hosted at Amit Shah's residence? 2. When is crony number 1 going to appear in the game, and which pieces of Tata is he going to get? Finally, all of India's businesses except 3-4 of your cronies already hate all of you and don't need any incitement."
Dear Mrs. Sitarama, 1.Which "legal and commercial matter" required Tata Trusts and Tata Sons to be hosted at Amit Shah's residence? 2.When is crony number 1 going to appear in the game and which pieces 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.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 28, 2026
Earlier in the day, Sitharaman hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his allegations concerning the Tata Group, accusing him of politicising commercial and legal matters and urging him to engage constructively rather than casting “baseless aspersions”.
In a post on X, Sitharaman responded to Rahul Gandhi's allegations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government was treating Indian businesses as its “plaything” and that business leaders were afraid to speak out amid the dispute over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as Executive Chairman of Tata Sons.
“Being the LoP Rahul Gandhi, 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 wrote.
Targeting the Congress party, she added, “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 Narendra Modi values the Indian industry as job creators & drivers of economic growth. Our policies have been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment."
The Union Minister accused the Lok Sabha LoP of casting baseless aspersions to suit his narrow political motives.
“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," she added.
“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.
Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi had accused the BJP-led government of treating Indian businesses as its “plaything”, alleging that business leaders were afraid to speak out against what he described as the alleged destruction of Tata.
In a post on X, the Congress leader alleged that Tata was being “criminally destroyed” and questioned the silence of business leaders over the matter.
“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,” Rahul Gandhi said.
The remarks come amid a dispute within the Tata Group after Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata raised objections to the reappointment of Chandrasekaran, alleging procedural irregularities in the board meeting that approved the decision and questioning the validity of the resolution. (ANI)
