Akhilesh Yadav Launches Scathing Attack on US-India Trade Agreement
In a strongly worded critique delivered on Saturday, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav targeted the recently signed trade deal between India and the United States, asserting that it poses an existential threat to Indian farmers and the agricultural sector. Speaking in Lucknow, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused the ruling BJP-led NDA government of effectively surrendering control of the Indian economy to foreign interests.
"Farmers Threatened, Not the Prime Minister"
Yadav specifically addressed recent claims regarding security threats to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during parliamentary sessions, countering that the real danger lies elsewhere. "There is no threat to the PM. The BJP has left the Indian farmers threatened," he declared, directly linking this perceived peril to the terms of the US trade pact.
He elaborated on his concerns, stating, "India has pledged trade worth Rs 500 billion dollars with the US. India has given away the agri sector. BJP is handing over the controls of the Indian economy to other countries. Our farmers will be ruined. Cultivation will land in danger."
Highlighting a "Lopsided" Tariff Structure
The opposition leader pointed to what he described as a fundamentally unequal agreement. He noted that while the United States has imposed an 18% tariff on Indian goods, India has maintained a 0% tariff on American imports. "It seems that as per BJP's arithmetic of compromise, 18% tariff by US is equal to 0% by India," Yadav remarked sarcastically, characterizing the deal as severely imbalanced and detrimental to domestic interests.
Accusations of Deception and Surrender
Yadav further accused the BJP government of employing misleading rhetoric to obscure the deal's negative impacts on farmers, shopkeepers, and traders. He claimed the administration has failed to establish any protective measures for India's economic sovereignty. "What is the secret behind surrendering Indian interests?" he questioned, suggesting the agreement was primarily formulated in the US with the Indian government's role reduced to mere ratification. "It seems that the deal was structured there (in the US) and reached India," he added, implying a lack of assertive negotiation from the Indian side.
Questioning "Make in India" and Broader Economic Policy
The SP chief also raised doubts about the consistency of the government's flagship "Make in India" initiative in light of this trade agreement. He implied that the deal could undermine domestic manufacturing and self-reliance goals, creating a contradiction in the government's stated economic policies.
Separate Controversy Involving Film Release
In a related development, Akhilesh Yadav also commented on the controversy surrounding the OTT release of a film starring actor Manoj Bajpayee. Describing the release as a "conspiracy of the BJP," he demanded heavy financial penalties against the filmmakers to deter similar projects. The film has sparked outrage within the Brahmin community over its title, leading the Uttar Pradesh government to file an FIR against its creators for allegedly hurting public sentiments and threatening law and order.
Yadav criticized the BJP's approach, alleging a pattern of targeting communities. "It is BJP's trait to target a community by 'using' some people of the same community," he stated, without naming the film to avoid amplifying its message. He connected this to earlier actions by the party, such as issuing notices to Brahmin MLAs, suggesting a coordinated effort to marginalize the community.
The Samajwadi Party leader's comments underscore growing political tensions over international trade agreements and cultural representations, positioning these issues as central to the upcoming political discourse in Uttar Pradesh and nationally.
