Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slammed the BJP's Chandigarh unit for losing the Lok Sabha seat in the recent general elections. Addressing a state executive meeting in Chandigarh, on Sunday, Sitharaman expressed her deep concern over the loss, stating that the seat was considered a "BJP seat".
The BJP's Sanjay Tandon had lost to Congress candidate Manish Tewari by 2,504 votes.
Sitharaman's comments were seen as a clear indication of the party's disappointment with the unit's performance.
“Media is also here and I won’t hesitate to say, in fact please forgive me if someone feels bad. Chandigarh’s seat was not the one to be lost as it was BJP’s seat. Nothing was lacking in your hard work or party. On my way to Ludhiana for an election rally during the polls, I had even taken feedback on the Chandigarh seat. Now you all will have to work harder. And let’s reclaim the Chandigarh seat,” she stated.
The finance minister also took a report on the election loss, indicating that the party is taking the defeat seriously.
“Also, I would like to mention that whenever you all need me, I will be here. Let’s win this seat next time.”
“The opposition is celebrating as if they have won the elections. In the last 10 Lok Sabha elections, i.e., from 1984 to 2024, the Congress could not cross even the 250-seat mark. But, they have this artificial confidence,” the finance minister added.
Besides this, she also highlighted the BJP's overall performance in the polls, pointing out that the party won 240 seats on its own, while the Congress and its allies could only manage 232 seats.
She accused the Opposition of creating "fake narratives" and not contesting the elections fairly.
The finance minister also claimed that the Congress could not win a single seat in 14 states.
In addition to addressing the party meeting, Sitharaman also met with traders and industrial associations to discuss their issues and demands.
A delegation from the Joint Forum of Industrial Associations submitted requests, including relaxation of the MSMED Act in industrial areas and a one-time settlement for VAT assessments. The finance minister listened to their concerns and assured them of her support.
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