Finance minister hits back at Rahul Gandhi, says Congress should stop being obstructionist

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

If the Congress and its leaders cannot “contribute positively” to the nation, they should stop being “obstructionists”, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday (May 19, 2026).

In a social media post, she also went on to list the Narendra Modi government’s achievements under various social sector schemes and asked whether they were aimed at benefiting Adanis or Ambanis.

“Since 2014, we have continued to serve every sector and every part of our society through our policies and initiatives,” Ms. Sitharaman said. “Farmers, the poor, women, youth, small and medium enterprises are at the core of our governance structure.”

The Finance Minister asked if the 58 crore Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts that were created were for “Adani/Ambani”.

She also questioned whether achievements under Mudra Yojana, Vishwakarma Yojana, Internship Scheme, e-Shram Cards, VB-G RAM G Act, Ayushman Bharat, PM KISAN, Lakhpati Didi, Drone Didi, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, SVANidhi, ECLGS 5.0 have benefited Industry 5.0 initiatives.

“We are focused on the welfare of the common people,” the finance minister said. “If @INCIndia (Congress) & its leaders cannot contribute positively to nation building, they should stop being obstructionists. A responsible opposition does not engage in fear mongering.”

Earlier in the day, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the government, saying “a fierce economic storm is brewing over our heads”. “In 12 years, what Modi built it as a structure was only for Adani and Ambani,” Mr Gandhi said at an event in Raebareli. “And now that very structure is going to collapse. They won’t be hit – they have escape routes.”

“The blow will fall on you – the youth, the poor, the middle class, the farmers, the workers, the small traders – who were never even part of this structure,” he added. “Look around you. Are you part of that structure—or a victim of that storm?”

Published – 19 May 2026 22:26 IST