Rahul Gandhi Takes Unyielding Stand Against BJP, Accuses Modi Government of Farmer Betrayal
In a bold declaration on Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that he spoke the truth in Parliament and will not retreat even if the Bharatiya Janata Party initiates a privilege motion or files a police case against him. Gandhi's remarks came in a video address where he launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging a betrayal of India's agricultural community.
Gandhi's Allegations Against the Modi Government
Gandhi asserted that the Congress party and the nation have historically fought for food security, but under Modi's leadership, this commitment has been abandoned. He specifically accused the Prime Minister of "selling out" cotton, soybean, apple, and fruit growers to foreign interests. According to Gandhi, foreign entities have long sought to dominate India's agriculture market, and Modi has effectively "opened the doors" for them, suggesting that "Donald Trump controls his reins."
He drew a stark contrast between American and Indian farming conditions, noting that U.S. farmers benefit from large, mechanized operations and substantial government subsidies, whereas Indian farmers typically manage small landholdings without mechanization and lack guaranteed Minimum Support Prices (MSP).
A Defiant Stance in the Face of Government Action
"File a case against me, abuse me, move a privilege motion. It does not matter. I spoke the truth in Parliament. You may not like it, but the country understands the truth," Gandhi declared. He emphasized his unwavering solidarity with farmers, vowing, "Whatever the government may do, I am with the farmers and won’t back down. Congress is with the farmers. We won’t allow injustice."
Congress Support and Criticism of Parliamentary Procedures
Congress MP and General Secretary K.C. Venugopal echoed Gandhi's defiance, stating, "We are not bothered about any motions and if you want to hang us, we are ready for that also. We will continue to tell the truth in Parliament." He highlighted a previous instance where the BJP revoked Gandhi's Lok Sabha membership in 2023, only for him to return in the subsequent election with increased voter support.
Venugopal also criticized the Modi government for what he described as "double standards" in parliamentary record-keeping. He pointed out that portions of Gandhi's speech were completely expunged from the Lok Sabha records, while similar remarks made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were retained. "This Parliament is running for the government, not for the opposition," he lamented, accusing the administration of manipulating proceedings to suppress dissent.
Background and Ongoing Political Tensions
This development follows earlier reports where Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, reiterated his commitment to speaking truth in the House without fear of reprisal. The controversy underscores deepening political rifts, with the Congress party positioning itself as a champion of farmer rights against perceived governmental favoritism towards foreign agricultural interests. The allegations of expunging speech and threats of legal action reflect a charged atmosphere in Indian politics, where parliamentary decorum and freedom of expression remain contentious issues.
