Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has alleged that no business leader has said a word on the recent developments in the Tata group and accused them of cowardice. Gandhi also launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Responding to Gandhi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman advised him against "seeing ghosts everywhere" and politicising every issue. She warned that casually labelling commercial and legal matters was unacceptable.
Earlier, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha had written in a post on X: "Tata is being criminally destroyed, and no business leader dares say a word. How long will you stay silent? Until they own you?"
Sitharaman dismissed the swipe and turned the attack back on Gandhi: "You have repeatedly decried the successes of Indian industry and our entrepreneurs. Now, are you trying to incite our business leaders to join you in spreading distrust and toxicity? For decades, your party had smothered the spirit of the Indian entrepreneurs under the stifling 'licence-quota raj' and inflicted poverty on crores of Indians."
She said the Modi government values the Indian industry as job creators and drivers of economic growth.
"Our policies have been tailored to enable enterprise, support industry and encourage investment," she said, adding history is witness to the "shoddy manner" in which Gandhi and his party, the Congress, have demeaned the judiciary.
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
Gandhi's post comes a day after Noel Tata challenged the validity of N Chandrasekaran's reappointment as executive chairman of Tata Sons. Noel is the chairman of Tata Trusts. Both Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have been engaged in a high-profile corporate boardroom battle since September.
Gandhi ended the post on X with a swipe at PM Modi and Shah.
"Indian business is not Modi and Shah's plaything. You lack courage. We don't. We will ensure justice for these crimes," he said.
Tata is being criminally destroyed, and no business leader dares say a word. How long will you stay silent? Until they own you? Indian business is not Modi and Shah's plaything. You lack courage. We don't. We will ensure justice for these crimes.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 28, 2026
Gandhi joins a growing list of political leaders, including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, who have commented on the Tata issue.
Last month, Pawar had clearly stated whose side he would take with his support for an ownership structure that "embraces philanthropy".
"Jamshedji Tata and the Tata family gave industry a value-based direction of social service. Therefore, the social commitment and institutional role of the Tata Trusts must be preserved," he said.
In the latest development, Noel Tata has also raised concerns over alleged undisclosed business dealings involving TVS Motor and a company linked to Chandrasekaran's family.
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