New Delhi, Feb 11: A fiery session of the Lok Sabha – Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the government of betraying the nation’s interests through its recent interim trade pact with the United States. Participating in the Union Budget discussion, Gandhi argued that the agreement is heavily skewed in favor of Washington and warned of dire consequences for the Indian peasantry.
The Opposition leader expressed outrage over the terms of the deal, which he characterized as a loss of national sovereignty. “You have sold India,” he said, adding, “You have sold our mother, Bharat Mata.” He mentioned that by opening the floodgates for US agricultural goods, the government has essentially abandoned the Indian farmer.
Beyond the agricultural sector, Gandhi noted that other vital industries are facing a similar collapse. He said the Indian textile industry is “finished,” attributing its downfall to policies that prioritize international trade relations over the survival of domestic businesses.
The speech sparked an uproar in the House as Gandhi challenged the treasury benches on their commitment to the “Make in India” initiative. He noted that the interim agreement lacks the necessary safeguards to protect local producers from being overwhelmed by cheaper, subsidized imports from the US.
