Sitharaman’s Stand: Why She Opted Out of Lok Sabha Elections

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently revealed her decision to refrain from contesting the Lok Sabha elections, citing financial constraints and the complexity of winnability criteria in southern states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

During the TIMES NOW Summit 2024, Sitharaman disclosed that although BJP President JP Nadda offered her the opportunity to contest from either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, she ultimately declined due to insufficient funds required for a campaign of such magnitude. Reflecting on her decision-making process, she mentioned taking a week or ten days to deliberate before conveying her decision. She expressed concerns about the financial aspects of running a campaign, along with the challenges posed by winnability criteria that often factor in aspects like community and religion.

Sitharaman emphasized that the Consolidated Fund of India doesn’t cover personal finances, including her salary, earnings, and savings. Grateful for the understanding shown by her party, she mentioned that they accepted her reasoning and respected her decision not to contest.

Despite opting out of the electoral race, Sitharaman affirmed her commitment to support other candidates during the upcoming elections. She highlighted her upcoming involvement in campaigning alongside candidates such as Rajiv Chandrasekhar, showcasing her continued dedication to political engagement despite not contesting the Lok Sabha polls herself.

The BJP’s strategy for the upcoming elections involves fielding several existing Rajya Sabha members, including prominent figures like Piyush Goyal, Bhupender Yadav, Rajiv Chandrasekhar, Mansukh Mandaviya, and Jyotiraditya Scindia. Sitharaman, as a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, will focus on supporting her colleagues and participating in media events to bolster the party’s campaign efforts.

Sitharaman’s decision reflects the complexities and challenges involved in electoral politics, especially regarding financial considerations and winnability criteria, showcasing a pragmatic approach to political engagements within the BJP.