Opposition Leader in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday warned the Union Government of massive farmers’ protests against the India-U.S. bilateral trade deal, saying it would meet the same fate as the three farm laws that the Centre had to withdraw in 2021.
Speaking on the motion of thanks to President Droupadi Murmu for her address to the joint session of Parliament, Mr. Kharge said the government would be forced to roll back the deal if it went ahead. Leader of the House and Union Minister J.P. Nadda countered the charge, citing Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s statement that the deal would benefit all sections of society.
India-U.S. trade deal will not include sensitive agricultural items and dairy: Goyal
In his hour-long speech, Mr. Kharge said the trade deal would “destroy” the farmers and accused the Union government of undermining the country’s agriculture sector. Questioning the Union Government’s attitude towards democratic institutions, he said the Centre did not inform Parliament about the fact that the deal was signed, and the MPs learnt of it only through a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump. Quoting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Mr. Kharge said American farmers would benefit from the deal. “Are you working for the welfare of farmers, or are you against the farmers?” he asked the Government.
