Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly prioritizing the United States’ interests over India’s during a farmers’ convention in Bhopal. Gandhi highlighted that while other countries had rejected US trade deals, PM Modi had not spoken out. He claimed that the trade agreement would require India to purchase goods worth Rs 9 lakh crore from the US, adversely affecting domestic industries like textiles and agriculture.
Gandhi further accused the government of damaging the textile sector by favoring US imports over domestic production. He pointed out that the US had imposed zero tariffs on textiles from Bangladesh while pressuring India to import cotton. Gandhi challenged PM Modi to revoke the deal, alleging that the Prime Minister had compromised national sovereignty to protect his political image.
During the convention, Gandhi urged Congress members to remain steadfast and not compromise on national interests. He emphasized the party’s historical contributions to agriculture and industry, calling on supporters to uphold the values of patriotism and self-reliance. The event in Bhopal marked the beginning of a series of protests organized by the Congress against the India-US trade agreement, with similar gatherings planned across different states to rally farmers against the deal.
