Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, criticized the Central government for jeopardizing national interests with the India-US trade deal. He warned that the deal could lead Indian farmers into unfair competition with American counterparts, severely affecting their livelihoods. Kharge highlighted the risk to Indian agriculture by potentially opening markets to American products while reciprocally reducing tariffs.
Kharge expressed concerns about the detrimental effects on Indian farmers, stating that the deal could place them in direct competition with American farmers. He cautioned the government about a potential resurgence of farmer protests, emphasizing the adverse impact on farmers’ livelihoods. Kharge questioned India’s global position, particularly in the face of challenges to sovereignty and alignment with the US.
The Opposition leader criticized the government’s stance on the trade deal, emphasizing the negative implications for Indian farmers. He raised doubts about the feasibility of the deal, pointing out the risks it posed to Indian agriculture. Kharge also highlighted the absence of key issues in the President’s address and outlined various critical areas he intended to address in Parliament.
Turning to social justice concerns, Kharge lamented the deterioration under the current government, particularly in terms of gender equality. He criticized the BJP for its treatment of women as a mere vote bank and questioned the lack of implementation of promised reservations for women in legislative bodies. Kharge highlighted the neglect of gender equality within the BJP’s ideological parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
