Budget 2026: Nirmala Sitharaman Wears Saree 'Predicted' By Priyanka Chaturvedi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for 2026-27 in Parliament on Sunday, February 1, which marked her record ninth budget speech. During the address, she highlighted the progress of the “reform express” under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and assured that it will continue to maintain momentum in fulfilling its duties.

While the speech is being discussed across political and economic circles, another detail that grabbed attention was her attire for the day. Sitharaman chose a handwoven Kanjeevaram silk saree to pay tribute to Tamil Nadu’s centuries-old weaving tradition. Interestingly, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had predicted the Finance Minister’s saree choice even a day before the budget.

Priyanka Chaturvedi Predicts Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget Saree – And Gets It Right

Speaking to ANI on January 31, Chaturvedi had said, “I hope Finance Minister presents the nation’s budget and not election-going state budget where we see her present the budget wearing Tamil Nadu handloom weave, speaking parts of speech in Bengali, with a policy announcement for tea gardens of Assam.”

I hope Finance Minister presents the nation’s budget and not election going state budget where we see her present the budget wearing Tamil Nadu handloom weave, speaking parts of speech in Bengali, with a policy announcement for tea gardens of Assam. pic.twitter.com/fROi86BdXy

— Priyanka Chaturvedi

Her prediction turned out to be accurate.

Sitharaman wore a purple Kattam Kanjeevaram silk saree with light golden-brown checks called ‘kattam’ and a coffee-brown border with thread work.

This morning, Chaturvedi took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared, “Tamil Nadu Handloom weave. As predicted.”

Tamil Nadu Handloom weave. As predicted

Honouring Tamil Nadu’s Weavers

The saree was reportedly stitched by a BJP karyakarta from Kancheepuram, the traditional silk hub of Tamil Nadu. The purple Kattam Kanjeevaram with its coffee-brown border highlighted the fine craftsmanship of local weavers and celebrates the state’s age-old handloom legacy. Her attire is also making impact as Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections will be held this year.

A Look At Some Of Nirmala Sitharaman’s Sarees From Previous Years

Sitharaman’s budget-day sarees have consistently represented India’s diverse handloom heritage. To present the Budget 2025, she wore an off-white handloom silk saree adorned with Madhubani motifs like fish and lotus. It was gifted to her by Padma Shri awardee Dulari Devi.

Then for her speech in 2024, she chose an off-white Mangalgiri saree with a bright magenta border to celebrate Andhra Pradesh’s handloom tradition with its fine cotton texture and simple zari borders.
The Finance Minister chose a blue tussar silk saree that featured Kantha embroidery, a hand-stitched craft from West Bengal, for the Interim Budget 2024.

In 2023, she wore a maroon saree with a traditional temple border, rooted in South Indian design. The saree came from Karnataka’s Dharwad region and was made using Ilkal silk, paired with Kasuti embroidery.