FM Nirmala Sitharaman Calls Communists 'Total Cowards' Amid UPI Payment Fee Debate

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday launched a strong attack on Communist parties, calling them "total cowards" during the ongoing political debate over UPI payment fees and the government's digital payments policy.

Addressing a public gathering, Sitharaman accused Communist leaders of spreading misinformation about the government's approach to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem. She asserted that the Centre remains committed to promoting digital payments while ensuring that consumers continue to benefit from a secure and efficient payment infrastructure.

The Finance Minister said allegations made by Opposition parties regarding the government's digital payments policy were misleading and intended to create unnecessary confusion among the public. She maintained that the Centre has consistently supported the expansion of UPI and has transformed India into a global leader in digital payments.

Referring to Communist parties, Sitharaman remarked that they were "total cowards" and alleged that they were unwilling to engage in an honest debate on the issue. She defended the government's record on digital financial inclusion, highlighting the rapid growth of UPI transactions and the increasing adoption of cashless payments across the country.

The remarks came amid a broader political controversy over claims and counterclaims regarding UPI-related policies. Opposition parties have questioned the government's handling of digital payments and raised concerns over reports of possible changes to the ecosystem, while the Centre has repeatedly denied speculation about imposing user charges on UPI transactions or weakening the platform.

The BJP has maintained that India's digital public infrastructure has become a global model, with UPI facilitating billions of transactions every month and contributing significantly to financial inclusion.

The Finance Minister's comments are expected to draw strong reactions from Left parties, adding another dimension to the ongoing political exchanges over economic policy and digital governance.