Congress Sharpens Attack on India–US Trade Pact, Plans Major Punjab Rally Led by Rahul Gandhi
A fresh political flashpoint has emerged over the proposed India–United States trade agreement, intensifying the war of words between the central government and the opposition. The Congress party has now signaled that it is ready to take its opposition from Parliament to the streets — beginning in Punjab, a state deeply intertwined with India’s agricultural identity.
Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced on Monday evening that the party is preparing to hold a massive rally in Punjab to protest the trade deal. The event is likely to take place on February 28 or March 1, and will prominently feature Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
“The Fight Will Begin in Punjab”
Baghel made it clear that the party sees this issue as more than just a policy disagreement — it views it as a battle that must be fought publicly and politically. According to him, the protest campaign against the trade agreement will formally begin in Punjab, with a large-scale rally bringing together senior Congress leaders and party workers.
He emphasized that Rahul Gandhi has already been voicing opposition to the trade deal both inside and outside the Lok Sabha, consistently raising concerns linked to farmers and the agricultural sector. By choosing Punjab — often described as the heartland of Indian agriculture — Congress appears to be strategically positioning its protest at the epicenter of farming politics.
A Direct Challenge to the Government
Baghel also responded sharply to remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had reportedly challenged Rahul Gandhi to debate the issue. Baghel’s response was unequivocal: if the government wants a debate, the opposition is ready.
He stated that Congress leaders, along with farmers, would participate in such a discussion. The only requirement, he said pointedly, is that the government fix the time and venue. The remark signaled that the party is not only prepared for a public mobilization but is also willing to confront the government directly on the issue.
Farmers at the Center of the Opposition
At the heart of Congress’s resistance to the trade pact lies concern over its potential impact on Indian agriculture. The party believes that certain provisions in the India–US trade agreement could adversely affect domestic farmers and weaken the agricultural economy.
Baghel underlined that Rahul Gandhi has consistently prioritized farmers’ issues, framing the opposition to the trade deal as part of a broader effort to safeguard rural livelihoods. According to Congress leaders, liberalized trade terms may expose Indian farmers to competitive pressures that they are ill-equipped to handle, particularly in a state like Punjab where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy.
A Political Showdown in the Making
With a major rally on the horizon and high-profile leaders stepping into the fray, the debate over the India–US trade agreement is rapidly evolving into a full-scale political confrontation. Congress appears determined to turn farmer anxiety into a nationwide campaign, starting from Punjab and potentially expanding beyond.
As both sides dig in, the issue is poised to dominate political discourse in the coming days — not just in Parliament, but across public platforms. Whether this confrontation leads to a substantive policy debate or deepens partisan divisions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle lines have been drawn.