Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rejected the proposal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to contest the Lok Sabha elections. She explained that she lacks the ‘necessary funds’ to do so. Sitharaman stated that BJP President JP Nadda had offered her the option of contesting elections from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu.
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Nirmala Sitharaman reveals the reason for not contesting elections
During an event, Nirmala Sitharaman stated, “After considering for a week or ten days, I responded… most likely not. I lack the financial resources to contest elections, whether it’s in Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. Additionally, there’s the issue of varying standards of value… Are you part of this community or that religion? Do you belong to this group? I declined, saying I don’t believe I am capable of such”.
She expressed gratitude for their acceptance of her plea, which is why she is not contesting the elections. When asked why the country’s Finance Minister lacks sufficient funds to contest elections, she responded that the Consolidated Fund of India isn’t her fund. She clarified, “My salary, earnings, and savings belong to me, not the Consolidated Fund of India.”
In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections starting from April 19, the ruling BJP has nominated several sitting Rajya Sabha members, including Piyush Goyal, Bhupendra Yadav, Rajiv Chandrashekhar, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Sitharaman, who is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, stated that she will actively engage in campaigning for other candidates. She mentioned, “I will participate in various media programs and accompany the candidates – for instance, tomorrow I will campaign for Rajiv Chandrashekhar. I’ll be actively involved in the campaign trail.”
When Nirmala Sitharaman, responsible for managing the country’s treasury, disclosed her asset details in 2023, it became evident that she possesses considerably fewer assets compared to other cabinet ministers. She emerged as one of the ministers with the lowest assets in the Modi cabinet.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, as of 31.03.2023, Nirmala Sitharaman’s properties are detailed as follows:
– Residential building: Rs 1,70,51,400 (co-owned with husband)
– Non-agricultural land: Rs 7,08,800
– Bajaj Chetak Scooter Price: Rs 28,260
– Jewellery: Rs 18,46,987
– Bank Deposit: Rs 35,52,666
– PPF: Rs 1,59,763
– Mutual Fund: Rs 5,80,424
– Loan given: Rs 2,70,000
– Other Income received: Rs 5,08,536
The Finance Minister does not possess any car registered under her name. She owns an old Bajaj Chetak scooter, valued at approximately Rs 28,260 at that time. In terms of liabilities, she has a loan with a tenure of up to 19 years, an overdraft lasting one year, and a mortgage loan extending over 10 years.
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