Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declined an offer from the BJP to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from either Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. In a statement at the TIMES NOW Summit 2024, she cited the lack of financial resources needed for a poll campaign and concerns about the winnability criteria based on community or religion as her reasons. Sitharaman expressed gratitude towards BJP President JP Nadda for understanding her position and accepting her decision not to contest in the elections.