Finance Minister Hits Back at Gandhi Over IDBI Bank Sale Allegations

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday responded sharply to allegations leveled by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding the government's plan to sell IDBI Bank, asserting that the opposition leader's charges lacked merit.

Sitharaman dismissed Gandhi's claims about the bank sale, suggesting the Congress leader was attempting to manufacture controversy similar to his previous allegations in the Rafale defense deal dispute. The finance minister implied that Gandhi's current accusations would similarly require a public apology, referencing the 2019 Rafale row that saw Gandhi face legal challenges after making allegations that were later contested.

The IDBI Bank divestment has emerged as a point of contention between the ruling BJP government and the opposition Congress party. The government has emphasized the strategic rationale behind the proposed sale, part of its broader agenda to divest non-strategic public sector undertakings and improve operational efficiency.

Sitharaman's remarks represent an escalation in the political debate over the bank sale, with the government positioning its position as economically sound while challenging the opposition's motives and credibility. The exchange underscores growing tensions between the government and Congress on fiscal policy matters ahead of ongoing parliamentary discussions.