Trade deal with US will hurt Indian farmers; govt wants to destroy agri sector: Kharge
New Delhi (PTI): The India-US trade deal will hurt the interests of Indian farmers, and the government wants to destroy the country's agriculture sector, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleged on Wednesday.
Participating in the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Upper House, the Congress party president also said that in the last 11 years, the government has "bulldozed" social justice and equality, and parliamentary democracy.
Hitting out at the manner in which the India-US trade deal was announced, Kharge said it is an insult to the Indian Parliament that parliamentarians got to know about the deal when it was in session from US President Donald Trump and not the government.
Quoting US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, he said, "The new US-India deal will export farm products to India's massive markets, lifting prices and pumping cash into rural America".
"Meaning American farmers will benefit," Kharge said.
"Tell us, are you (government) working for the welfare of farmers, or are you against the farmers?"
Asserting that the deal will hurt the interests of Indian farmers, he alleged that the government wants to "destroy" the Indian agriculture sector.
American imports will come at zero tariff, and what India exports there will be at 18 per cent, he lamented.
"The fact that parliamentarians came to know about the India-US trade deal from President Trump and not the government is an insult to Parliament," he said, adding that Trump is telling what India should do and how to run it from the US.
Indian farmers will be destroyed by this deal, he added.
On Monday, Trump, in a social media post, announced that India and the US agreed to a trade deal under which Washington would bring down the reciprocal tariff on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the current 50 per cent, after a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his speech, Kharge said the President's address was silent on many important matters and raised issues of social justice, social harmony, attack on constitutional democracy, economy, difficulties faced by farmers and workers and the government's shortcomings in its foreign policy.
After the Independence, two of the most important goals before the nation were setting up a system to provide social justice and equality, and giving the country a parliamentary democracy, but "in 11 years you have bulldozed both", he said.
In the last few years, the government has weakened the four pillars of the constitution -- justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, Kharge said.
He further said that in the last 11 years, the Modi government has weakened the fabric of social justice.
While the President's address mentioned women's reservation, in reality, women have only remained vote banks for the BJP, Kharge claimed, adding that if the Prime Minister was really concerned about women's reservation, then the Women's Reservation Act would have been implemented without any conditions.
He also alleged that under the NDA rule, atrocities against minorities, tribals and women have increased. Many schemes implemented by the earlier Congress government to uplift scheduled tribes and scheduled tribes have been completed by the current government, and fund allocations have been cut.
Kharge also lashed out at the government for "uprooting and throwing away" legislations, including MNREGA, which were aimed to provide citizens basic rights and for the betterment of citizens.
On social harmony, he said any discussion on the matter will be incomplete without mentioning Manipur, where at least 200 people have died, and 70,000 have been displaced.
"You have made Manipur a militarised zone," Kharge said, adding that it took two years for the Prime Minister to visit the troubled state.
Kharge also raised concern over rising violence against minorities and attacks on Churches in several states, while accusing the BJP spokesperson of spewing venom and spreading hatred between different communities.
"Do you want to build Viksit Bharat on the foundation of hatred and division?" he asked, adding that if the government continued with its policy, it would be responsible for breaking up the nation.
He also alleged the ruling dispensation of not entertaining demands from the opposition for discussion on various issues in Parliament by rejecting short-notice questions and half-hour discussions.
Alleging that the Prime Minister always stays away from replying to questions in Parliament, Kharge said several questions raised by Opposition members were rejected on flimsy grounds.
He accused the government of wanting to impose new laws and pass legislation without discussion or proper scrutiny in Parliament, while also alleging that in non-NDA-ruled states, Raj Bhavan has become offices of the BJP and RSS, and Governors were acting as agents of the Centre.
Highlighting the issue of inequality, citing the World Inequality Report, Kharge said 40 per cent of India's total wealth is held by 1 per cent of the population and asked what steps have been taken by the government to address the issue.
He also raised the issue of rising unemployment among youths despite large-scale vacancies in government posts and PSUs across the country, while flagging concern over heightened drug seizures, especially from ports in Gujarat.
Kharge also hit out at the government over the new labour codes, saying in order to benefit its "corporate friends", the government has finished the laws that were framed before and after Independence, which "guaranteed the future of workers".
Taking a dig at the government's 'Achche Din' slogan, he said, due to the smoke of pollution, one can't see 'Achche Din' and 11 years of failed strategy meant people are now forced to buy air purifiers.
"Those who talk about ease of doing business can't give ease of breathing...," Kharge lamented.
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Amaravati as capital of Andhra has nationwide support, except YSRCP: CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Despite alleged conspiracies orchestrated by the opposition YSRCP, Amaravati's status as the capital of Andhra Pradesh has received unanimous support from the country, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu asserted that after receiving the central government's sovereign seal, no one can alter the status of the capital city in the future.
"They (YSRCP) wanted to destroy Amaravati, but we brought a law. Today, the entire country stands behind Amaravati. Overcoming all conspiracies, Amaravati has emerged victorious."
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making Amaravati the capital of the southern state, was passed by the Parliament.
He claimed that letters were written to the World Bank, opposing Amaravati and false narratives were spread against the project, including claims about its viability and safety.
Alleging that such actions were aimed at "damaging" the capital, he said that similar attempts were continuing.
"The dreams of five crore people have been fulfilled with the help of the Centre's sovereign seal. Nobody will be able to change anything in the future," he said.
Noting that there are 50 parties in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said, "Despite ideological and personal differences, and no direct connection to Andhra Pradesh's capital, they all supported the Amaravati Bill to safeguard the interests of the country."
Naidu attacked the opposition party, alleging that it has no sense of national interest and is not concerned about Andhra Pradesh's progress.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the passage of the Amaravati Bill in Parliament.
The CM said PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for Amaravati in line with the Singapore master plan.
He further said that PM, who had originally laid the foundation stone and later returned to relaunch construction activities, is expected to inaugurate the major projects in Amaravati in 2029.
"Soil from temples and places of worship across the country, along with water from various rivers, was brought for the project, while the prime minister gave soil from Parliament and water from the Yamuna," Naidu said.
The chief minister emphasised that this symbolic act reflected the support of Parliament and the entire nation for Amaravati.
He said the government's vision involves a cluster of nine cities with world-class infrastructure, designed by global architects to ensure long-term development.
To achieve this, the design integrates urban planning concepts such as clean and green infrastructure, underground utilities, and walk-to-work systems.
According to him, an agreement was signed with Singapore for developing the financial district, but it was later cancelled by the previous YSRCP regime, which also damaged the Amaravati brand.
Investments were attracted, with educational institutions establishing campuses, and land allocated to over 100 institutions.
Works progressing at a fast pace were halted, and the three-capital policy created divisions among regions, drawing criticism from the High Court.
Naidu claimed that attempts were made to counter the Amaravati farmers' movement and cases were filed, even as political tensions escalated during that period, and people brought his party back to power.
The chief minister said Andhra Pradesh, formed on a linguistic basis, was left without a capital, and the resolution sent to Parliament was approved, granting legal status.
Naidu said Amaravati would emerge as a hub for education, employment and knowledge, while parallel development was being pursued in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.
He added that industries were being promoted across regions and major companies were setting up operations, alongside efforts to complete irrigation projects.
Naidu said capital development works worth Rs 56,000 crore were currently underway and would progress in phases, with major milestones expected by 2028.
The CM stated that Amaravati was designed as a self-sustainable project with financial support from institutions such as the World Bank, Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and others.
Naidu said the state aims to achieve a USD 2.4 trillion economy by 2047, with Amaravati playing a key role in driving growth.
He added that the Centre and state were working together to secure funds for key projects, including Polavaram, Amaravati and other infrastructure initiatives.
The chief minister said the government was implementing short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to rebuild the state's economy and restore growth momentum.
