Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed recent criticisms from Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who claimed that the government is “blind to realities” affecting the economy. In a Monday interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Sitharaman dismissed Gandhi’s statements, suggesting he often “shoots from the hip” without relying on solid data.
Sitharaman expressed her willingness to engage with opposition feedback but questioned the validity of Gandhi’s assertions. “He is the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha. I want to take him seriously and consider his observations, but most often, I think he shoots from the hip,” she remarked. She emphasized that a credible opposition is vital for democracy, yet it must be informed by “good foundational data” for meaningful dialogue.
Referring to Gandhi’s comments that echoed former US President Donald Trump’s description of India as a “dead economy,” Sitharaman argued that such remarks undermine Gandhi’s own credibility. She asked, “Being in India, being in the Parliament, being the Leader of the Opposition… are you saying you are living in a dead economy?” She contended that such statements weaken his position and insisted that India requires an opposition that challenges the government seriously and with evidence.
Sitharaman criticized Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for claiming that the state has been overlooked in the Budget, calling it a “sad commentary.” She pointed to several infrastructure and welfare initiatives that benefit both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, including super-fast rail projects and support for coconut farmers.
Further, she highlighted allocations under national schemes such as Viksit Bharat initiatives and MNREGA, asserting that these projects are visible in Tamil Nadu. Sitharaman maintained that electoral narratives should not distract from essential national allocations, emphasizing that the Budget’s provisions aim to benefit all regions equally.
Previously, Sitharaman responded to Congress leaders who labeled the budget as disconnected from India’s pressing issues, such as unemployment, farmer distress, and declining manufacturing sectors. Gandhi characterized the budget as a “refusal of course correction, blind to India’s real crises,” accusing it of being more rhetoric than actionable policy.
Sitharaman countered, expressing uncertainty regarding the “course correction” Gandhi referred to and declaring that “the economy and its fundamentals are strong.”
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/shoots-from-the-hip-sitharaman-rebuts-rahul-gandhis-budget-criticism-says-india-needs-data-driven-opposition-13975423.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-02 21:20:00
