Nirmala Sitharaman Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi Over Tata Group Row, Says ‘Refrain From Politicising Every Issue’

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday, October 28, hit back at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his allegations that the Tata Group was being “criminally destroyed”, accusing him of politicising commercial and legal matters. The exchange comes amid an escalating dispute over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as executive chairman of Tata Sons, with Gandhi alleging government interference in Indian businesses and Sitharaman defending the Centre’s industry-friendly policies.

Nirmala Sitharaman Responds to Rahul Gandhi’s Tata Group Allegations

In a post on X, Sitharaman urged Gandhi to refrain from politicising every issue, arguing that describing commercial and legal disputes as criminal was unacceptable.

“Being the LoP, I suggest you refrain from politicising every issue. Also, casually labelling commercial and legal matters as criminal is unacceptable,” the finance minister said.

She also accused Gandhi of repeatedly criticising the achievements of Indian industry and entrepreneurs, questioning whether his remarks were intended to encourage business leaders to spread distrust. Sitharaman contrasted the Congress’s economic record with that of the Narendra Modi-led government, saying the Centre’s policies were designed to support enterprises, encourage investment and strengthen Indian industry as a source of employment and economic growth. Rahul Gandhi Accuses PM Modi, Shah of Treating Indian Businesses as “playthings” Amid Tata Sons Row.

Nirmala Sitharaman Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi Over Tata Group Row

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

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi and Shah of Treating Businesses as ‘Playthings’

Earlier on Wednesday, Gandhi alleged that the Tata Group was being “criminally destroyed” and criticised business leaders for remaining silent over the developments.

In his post on X, the Congress leader said Indian businesses should not be treated as the “plaything” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He questioned why business leaders were not speaking out and said his party would seek justice over what he described as wrongdoing. Gandhi’s remarks brought the internal corporate dispute into the political arena, prompting a direct response from Sitharaman. Noel Tata Flags Procedural Lapses in Chandrasekaran’s Reappointment, Calls Resolution Void.

What Is the Tata Sons Boardroom Dispute?

The political exchange comes against the backdrop of a dispute involving Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and the board of Tata Sons, the principal holding company of the Tata Group. Noel Tata has challenged the validity of Chandrasekaran’s reappointment, raising questions about the procedure followed during a September 17 board meeting. In a letter dated October 26, he reportedly alleged that the agenda circulated to directors did not explicitly mention the reappointment and questioned whether the necessary procedural requirements had been fulfilled.

He also sought the meeting’s audio and video recordings, final minutes and other documents, arguing that the validity of the resolution remained contested. The dispute has raised questions about corporate governance and the decision-making process within one of India’s largest business groups. The allegations remain contested and should not be treated as established wrongdoing.

Sitharaman Defends Modi Government’s Economic Policies

Responding to Gandhi, Sitharaman said the Modi government viewed Indian industry as a driver of economic growth and employment. She argued that the Centre’s policies were intended to enable entrepreneurship, support businesses and attract investment. She also accused the Congress of having constrained private enterprise during its years in power through what she described as the “Licence-Quota Raj”.

The finance minister further called on political parties, governments and institutions to support industry, strengthen farmers and secure the future of young people. Invoking the Constitution and the judiciary, Sitharaman said legal disputes should be addressed through the appropriate institutions rather than through what she described as baseless political allegations. She also accused Gandhi and the Congress of undermining the judiciary in the past.

Tata Group Row Becomes a Political Flashpoint

The exchange highlights how the dispute over Tata Sons has expanded beyond corporate governance into a wider political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP. While Gandhi has questioned the environment in which Indian businesses operate, Sitharaman has rejected his allegations and defended the government’s approach to industry and investment.

At the centre of the controversy remains the challenge to Chandrasekaran’s reappointment and the questions raised by Noel Tata over the board’s procedures. The outcome of the corporate dispute and any further developments will determine how the matter progresses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2026 05:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).