The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Wednesday, disclosed her decision to decline the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) proposition for her to run in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing insufficient personal funds as the primary reason. Sitharaman was offered a choice by BJP President J.P. Nadda to contest from either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu but decided against it after pondering the decision for about a week or ten days.
Addressing her concerns at the TIMES NOW Summit 2024, Sitharaman revealed her apprehensions about meeting the financial requirements for a Lok Sabha campaign. Moreover, she mentioned additional considerations that influenced her decision, including regional winnability factors such as community and religious affiliations, which she felt did not favor her candidacy.
Sitharaman, who currently serves as a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, expressed her gratitude towards the BJP leadership for understanding and accepting her reasons for not entering the fray. In response to inquiries about her financial capabilities, she clarified that her personal finances, including her salary, earnings, and savings, are distinct from the Consolidated Fund of India, underscoring the separation between her official capacity and personal resources.
Despite her decision not to contest, Sitharaman remains an active figure in the political scene, committing to support her party’s efforts in the forthcoming elections. She plans to participate in the campaign trail, assist in promoting other candidates, and engage in various media events. Sitharaman’s involvement includes campaigning for Rajiv Chandrasekhar among others, indicating her continued influence and dedication to her party’s electoral success.
