Sitharaman's "Typical UP-Type" Dig Stirs Controversy, Priyanka Gandhi Reacts

Nirmala Sitharaman's "typical UP type" remark made at a press conference following the Union Budget 2022 announcement on Tuesday has triggered outrage from the opposition. The Finance Minister was reacting to Rahul Gandhi's statements on the budget when she delivered the said barb. This controversy comes just days ahead of Uttar Pradesh going to polls.

Gandhi criticised the Budget, calling it "zero-sum" and claiming it was devoid of benefits for farmers, middle class and other vulnerable groups. "There is despair all around our country, our youth have no future and once again the Modi govt's budget completely ignores this painful reality," the Congress leader tweeted.

At a press conference thereafter, Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance from UP, alleged Gandhi did not understand the "futuristic" budget. As per reports, Sitharaman added, "I think he has given a typical UP type answer which is good enough for an MP who ran away from UP."

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Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Twitter amid the controversy to directly address Sitharaman with a tag. She wrote, "You did not put anything in the budget bag for UP, okay… but what was the need to insult the people of UP like this? Understand, the people of UP are proud to be a "UP type". We are proud of the language, dialect, culture and history of UP."

Randeep Surjewala too too claimed Sitharaman allegedly insulted and made fun of the people of UP. "Modi ji and Nirmala Sitharaman should immediately apologise to the people of Uttar Pradesh," he said.

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UP is one of five states to begin assembly elections soon and will see heated competition for leadership between the Bharatiya Janata (BJP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Indian National Congress (INC). Polling will begin February 10 and will span seven phases.