'GST On Horse-Trading': Nirmala Sitharaman's Gaffe At Press Briefing Triggers Troll Fest

Congress’s chairman of media and publicity Pawan Khera tweeted saying, “I knew Nirmala Sitharaman ji had the ability to think out of the (ballot) box.”

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a slip of tongue while addressing the media on the decision of Goods and Service Tax (GST) imposition, the video of which went viral on the social media. In the video, shared by Congress social media convenor Ruchira Chaturvedi, Sitharaman can be heard saying “horse-trading” instead of “horse racing” before quickly correcting herself.

In a short video clip, Nirmala Sitharaman is heard saying: "The second GOM, related to the betting, gambling, casinos, horse-trading (corrects herself) horse-racing..."

Watch the video here:

GST on horse-trading? 🤭🤭😆😆pic.twitter.com/kpL6Zkb4nO

— Ruchira Chaturvedi (@RuchiraC) June 30, 2022

The Union Finance Minister’s gaffe has garnered an array of reactions, with opposition party leaders and netizens taking a jibe at her faux pas.

Congress’s chairman of media and publicity Pawan Khera tweeted saying, “I knew Nirmala Sitharaman ji had the ability to think out of the (ballot) box.”

I knew @nsitharaman ji had the ability to think out of the (ballot) box. Yes Nirmala ji, there should be GST on horse trading. https://t.co/H8UdMEzeLW

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) June 30, 2022

The Congress's Secretary Vineet Punia also reacted to the video saying, “We welcome Nirmala Sitharaman ji’s proposal to impose GST on horse-trading.”

We welcome @nsitharaman ji’s proposal to impose GST on #HorseTrading.

But Hon’ble PM & HM may not allow this anti-BJP tax. 😃 https://t.co/dQaVNz7MaQ

— Dr Vineet Punia / विनीत पुनिया (@VineetPunia) June 30, 2022

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, "Truth gallops out? GST on horse trading!"

Truth gallops out?
GST on horse trading!
Please go ahead. https://t.co/X87hsx1iB2

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 29, 2022

Indian Youth Congress's national president Srinivas BV also commented on the video.

निर्मला जी,

चूंकि GST की PC में आपके द्वारा 'Horse-Trading' को कानूनी रूप से वैध बनाकर GST श्रेणी में लाया गया है, जो BJP की मौजूदा खरीद फरोख्त के मद्देनजर बिल्कुल जायज है

Nation Wants to Know!
महाराष्ट्र में BJP सरकार से कितना GST वसूला जाएगा?

pic.twitter.com/1sIwZGRF3C

— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) June 30, 2022

Mamata Banerjee’s All Indian Trinamool Congress, sharing the video, wrote: “Is BJP looking for a recurring source of revenue? After ruining the country from every possible aspect, no onion-garlic Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman comes up with GST charges for “horse-trading”!”

Is @BJP4India looking for a recurring source of revenue? 🤔

After ruining the country from every possible aspect, no onion-garlic Minister @nsitharaman comes up with GST charges for "horse-trading"!#ModiBusinessModel#LootShootKiSarkaar https://t.co/w2wQXmqFX2

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) June 30, 2022

Popular musician and singer Vishal Dadlani, taking a swipe at the minister’s slip of tongue, said, “Hahahahahahahahahahaha, There was a song that went “dil ki baat kabhi lab pe na aa jaaye.””

Hahahahahahahahahahaha,

There was a song that went "dil ki baat kabhi lab pe na aa jaaye". https://t.co/c4S497BK9b

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) June 30, 2022