Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday reacted to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s ‘halwa’ ceremony jibe targeted towards her during his address in the Lower House on Monday.

During a stormy debate in the Lok Sabha on July 29, Gandhi took a dig at the ‘halwa’ ceremony tradition, calling it the “budget ka halwa”.

Displaying a photo from the ‘halwa’ ceremony in Parliament ahead of the presentation of Union Budget 2024, the Congress leader said that there was lack of diversity in the exercise – an absence of Dalits, Other Backward Classes, Adivasis in its preparation.

“The Budget halwa is being distributed in the photo. I cannot see, one Dalit or Adivasi or backward class officer in it. What is happening sir? The halwa is being distributed but 73 per cent (representation) is not even there,” Gandhi said.

Sitharaman, who was present in the House during Gandhi’s speech, was seen covering her face with her hands and smiling after his ‘Budget ka halwa’ comment. A wry smile with a shake of the head followed, which soon became viral on social.

Responding to it, Sitharaman pointed out that the ‘halwa’ ceremony was, in fact, initiated in 2013-2014 by the then finance minister.

“When did ‘halwa’ ceremony become a photo event? I want to underline that ‘halwa’ ceremony started in 2013-14 by the then (finance) minister,” Sitharaman said.

Congress led UPA was in power at the Centre in 2013-14.

“By that time, our Leader of Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) was a full active leader. Why the then Finance Minister was not asked about clicking photo during ‘halwa’ ceremony,” she said, adding, “Did someone ask them how many SC, STs were there?”

The minister further slammed Gandhi and said: “There is conspiracy to break this society into compartments behind asking questions about how many SC/ST or OBC officials are part of the ‘halwa’ ceremony and the making of the Budget.”

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With inputs from agencies

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Watch: Sitharaman replies why she held her head when Rahul Gandhi mentioned ‘halwa’ ceremony