India
‘Don’t Spread Toxicity’: Nirmala Sitharaman Slams Rahul Gandhi Over Remarks On Tatas
By: News18 India
Published: 28 October 2026
Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk
<p>Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Tata leadership dispute, accusing him of spreading “distrust and toxicity" against Indian industry and entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>The exchange followed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the dispute, in which he alleged that the Tata group was being “criminally destroyed".</p>
<p>In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi questioned why business leaders were remaining silent and warned them against allowing the government to treat Indian businesses as its “plaything".</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>Sitharaman Accuses Rahul Gandhi Of Politicising Issue</p>
<p>Responding to Rahul Gandhi, Nirmala Sitharaman urged the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha to refrain from politicising commercial and legal matters or casually labelling them criminal.</p>
<p>Nirmala Sitharaman accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading distrust towards Indian businesses and entrepreneurs, and defended the PM Modi government’s approach to industry and investment.</p>
<p>She contrasted the Congress’s record under the “Licence-Quota Raj" with the government’s policies aimed at supporting industry, enterprise and investment. Nirmala Sitharaman also called on political leaders to support businesses, farmers and young people rather than undermine confidence in India’s industrial ecosystem.</p>
<p>Invoking the role of the judiciary in resolving disputes, Nirmala Sitharaman urged Rahul Gandhi to “refrain from seeing ghosts everywhere".</p>
<p>The political exchange comes amid a disagreement over the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as executive chairman of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group. The Tata Sons board approved Chandrasekaran’s reappointment on September 17. His current term is due to end in February 2027.</p>
<p>Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, which holds about 66 per cent of Tata Sons, opposed the move and sought a selection committee to identify a successor.</p>
<p>According to reports, Noel Tata said Chandrasekaran had communicated on August 12 that he did not intend to seek another term. The trusts had accepted that position and wanted a selection committee to be formed. The board subsequently asked Chandrasekaran to reconsider and approved his reappointment again. Four directors voted in favour, while Noel Tata voted against it.</p>
<p>On October 26, Noel Tata sent a letter to Tata Sons company secretary Suprakash Mukhopadhyay challenging the validity and procedure of the resolution.</p>
<p>Nirmala Sitharaman criticized Rahul Gandhi after he alleged on X that the Tata Group was being criminally destroyed and claimed the government was treating Indian businesses as a plaything. Sitharaman accused him of spreading distrust and toxicity against Indian industry.</p>
<p>The dispute centers on the Tata Sons board's September 17 approval of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as executive chairman. Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts which holds a 66 percent stake, opposed the move and sought a selection committee, later challenging the procedure in a letter.</p>
<p>Sitharaman defended the Modi government by highlighting its policies tailored to support industry, enterprise, and investment, contrasting them with Congress's historical 'Licence-Quota Raj' which smothered entrepreneurial spirit.</p>
