In a fiery political rally held in Tarn Taran on Thursday, senior Congress leaders unleashed a barrage of criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, branding him as the "weakest and most cowardly" Prime Minister in India's history. The gathering, which saw prominent party figures address a charged audience, centered on allegations that Modi's administration has compromised national sovereignty and workers' rights under pressure from global powers like the United States and China.
Scathing Attack on Modi's Leadership and Foreign Policy
Former Chhattisgarh chief minister and Congress' Punjab in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, spearheaded the assault, accusing Modi of being easily intimidated and manipulated by international forces. Baghel claimed that countries such as the US and China have identified and exploited Modi's perceived "weaknesses" to advance their own interests at India's expense. He emphatically stated, "The sooner he goes, the better it will be for the country," highlighting the party's demand for a change in leadership.
Allegations of Unfair Trade Agreements with the US
Delving into specifics, Baghel targeted the India–US relations, alleging that former US President Donald Trump "dictated" terms to Modi during negotiations. He criticized recent trade agreements, arguing they were heavily skewed in favor of the US. According to Baghel, while the US imposed an 18% tariff on Indian goods, India agreed to 0% tariffs on American imports—a move he contrasted with Pakistan's 11% tariff on US goods. This, he asserted, exemplifies Modi's failure to protect India's economic interests on the global stage.
Domestic Focus: MGNREGA and Workers' Rights
Shifting to domestic issues, the Congress leaders vehemently opposed the Centre's move to alter the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Baghel predicted that the government would be forced to restore the scheme in its original form, drawing parallels to the repeal of the three controversial farm laws after sustained public pressure.
Criticism from Punjab Congress Leaders
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that Modi has been hostile towards MGNREGA from the very beginning, gradually weakening a law that guarantees 100 days of work annually to the rural poor. Mocking the government's claim of now providing 125 days a year, Warring questioned, "When it could not provide 100 days, how would it be able to provide 125 days?" He also criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, accusing it of failing MGNREGA workers by stopping work provisions well before the new law was introduced.
Warring asserted that the Congress will continue to fight until MGNREGA is fully restored, emphasizing the party's commitment to workers' rights. Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa reinforced this stance, describing MGNREGA not as a charity scheme but as a lifeline for rural Punjab and a legal right of the poor. Bajwa added, "BJP destroyed every right given to the poor and common citizen of this country by the Congress," underscoring the broader political narrative of safeguarding welfare programs.
Rally Concludes with Calls for Action
The rally also featured addresses from AICC general secretary, Gurdaspur MP, and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who echoed the sentiments of his colleagues. The event in Tarn Taran served as a platform for the Congress to consolidate its opposition against the Modi government, blending critiques of foreign policy with domestic welfare issues to rally support ahead of upcoming political battles.
