Chandigarh’s seat was not the one to be lost as it was of BJP’s: Sitharaman

“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,” Sitharaman said while addressing the party workers.

The finance minister said that she is “deeply concerned” with the party losing the Chandigarh seat, adding that she had even taken a report on the same.

“There was nothing 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 added.

“Also, I would like to mention that whenever you all need me, I will be here. Let’s win this seat next time.”

During the meeting, former MP Kirron Kher and Tandon were also present.

Before Sitharaman’s arrival, Kher was asked to address the party workers where she reminded Tandon of the couplet she recited to him when he had come to her home before the polls.

“Sanjay ji, three months prior to the elections, you had come to me and I had informed you how due to my health reasons, I am not contesting the polls. I had also shared a couplet with you, ‘Ham laaye hain toofaan se kashti nikaal ke. Iss desh ko rakhana mere bachchon sambhaal ke’,” Kher said.

Meanwhile, the finance minister also claimed that the Congress could not win even a single seat in 14 states and a total of 13 INDIA block parties could win only 232 seats, while the BJP on its own won 240 seats

“But they (Opposition) are 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,” Sitharaman added.

She also accused the Opposition of not contesting the election in a “fair manner,” claiming that the BJP’s rival parties created “fake narratives” so much so that people could not be convinced.

Sitharaman said on every issue the Congress or its supporters went to the Supreme Court, but the verdict came in favour of the BJP-led government. “Rahul Gandhi abused the RSS, he had to apologise in the court. The Congress said there was corruption in the Rafale deal, it had to again apologise. But, these people are shameless,” the finance minister said.

Meanwhile, Sitharaman later also held a meeting with traders to understand their issues and demands. A delegation from the Joint Forum of Industrial Associations of Chandigarh met the finance minister.

The delegation took up issues including allowing all activities under MSMED Act in industrial area in Chandigarh, more international flights from Chandigarh airport, and one-time settlement for VAT assessments, according to Naveen Manglani ,Vice President, Chamber of Chandigarh Industries.