Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi Launches Scathing Attack on India-US Trade Agreement
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday delivered a fiery critique of the India-US interim trade deal, asserting it was finalized under "pressure" and daring Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke what he termed an "anti-farmer" agreement. His remarks came in the context of the US Supreme Court's recent invalidation of global tariffs, adding a new dimension to the political debate.
"An Arrow Struck in the Heart of the Farmer"
Addressing a gathering at the Congress party's inaugural ‘Kisan Maha Chaupal’ in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh—a state renowned as India's leading soyabean producer—Gandhi minced no words. "This is not a deal, this is like an arrow struck right in the heart of the farmer," he declared, emphasizing the perceived harm to agricultural interests.
He further alleged that Prime Minister Modi is "acting under the pressure of President Donald Trump because of the Epstein files and to save industrialist Gautam Adani against whom there is a criminal case pending in the US." These claims inject a controversial edge into the discussion, linking international diplomacy with domestic corporate affairs.
Alleged Compromise of National Sectors
Gandhi contended that through this trade deal, the Prime Minister has compromised the interests of multiple critical sectors in India. He specifically highlighted agriculture, textiles, data, and import sectors as being adversely affected. The ‘Kisan Maha Chaupal’ event is a strategic component of the Congress party's nationwide outreach campaign opposing the agreement, aimed at mobilizing public sentiment against it.
The roadmap for this outreach was unveiled last week during a high-level meeting attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Leaders from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh participated, with the party asserting that these states would bear the brunt of the trade deal's negative impacts.
Upcoming Protests and Political Momentum
The political momentum against the trade deal is set to escalate with subsequent chaupals scheduled in Yavatmal on March 7 and in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar. These events are strategically timed ahead of Parliament reconvening on March 9 for the second part of the budget session, ensuring the issue remains at the forefront of legislative discussions.
Kharge Joins the Fray with Strong Accusations
Echoing Gandhi's criticisms, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched his own attack on the government. He labeled Prime Minister Modi as a "cowardly PM" and described the trade deal as a "surrender" by the administration. Kharge's remarks were delivered against the backdrop of recent arrests of Youth Congress members, who staged shirtless protests at the global AI summit in Delhi last week.
In a show of solidarity, Kharge extended congratulations to these members "for standing firm and confronting Modi, and drawing attention to the situation of the youth in the face of challenges such as unemployment." He added a poignant allegation: "When you (PM) pledged our pride at Trump's feet (through the deal), that very day our honour was lost," framing the agreement as a national disgrace.
The coordinated efforts by Congress leaders underscore a concerted political strategy to challenge the government's trade policies, leveraging farmer discontent and youth issues to build a broader coalition of opposition.
