Nirmala Sitharaman Opts Out Of 2024 Lok Sabha Election Due To 'Lack Of Funds'
As a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, Sitharaman outlined her plans to support other candidates during the campaign.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has decided against contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, citing financial constraints. According to her, BJP President JP Nadda offered her the opportunity to contest from either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu but she could not say 'Yes' because of insufficient funds required for campaigning.
Sitharaman expressed her concerns,stating, "After thinking for a week or ten days, I went back to say, 'Maybe not'. I do not have that kind of money to contest." She highlighted the complex criteria involved in candidate selection, including factors like community and religion, which further deterred her decision to contest.
Acknowledging her financial limitations, Sitharaman emphasized that her personal resources are distinct from the Consolidated Fund of India, asserting, "My salary, my earnings, and my savings are mine and not the Consolidated Fund of India."