Guwahati: Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of selling India to Donald Trump and the United States, alleging at campaign rallies in Assam that the BJP-led govt had opened India’s agriculture sector to American farmers, weakened the country’s energy independence and compromised its data.Addressing rallies in Karbi Anglong and Jorhat in support of united opposition alliance candidates, the Leader of Opposition said the India-US deal signed by Modi had put pressure on Indian farmers and businesses.Campaigning in Karbi Anglong for opposition candidate and APHLC leader JI Kathar from the Diphu seat, Rahul said, “Narendra Modi initiated and signed the India-US deal. You will say why Rahul is talking about the US-India deal in Assam’s elections.
But there is a reason for this, because you need to understand where the pressure on you is coming from. Narendra Modi signed the US deal. He gave four to five things to America.
Hindustan’s agricultural system, the hard work of our farmers — Narendra Modi opened it up for American farmers.”He said no previous Prime Minister had taken such a step and added, “Soybean, dal, fruits, cotton — all of this, Narendra Modi opened up for American farmers.
Indian farmers have small fields, they have less mechanisation, while America has farms spanning thousands of acres with extensive mechanisation. Indian farmers will be crushed, trampled, and wiped out.”At both rallies, Rahul also alleged that Modi had compromised India’s energy security by allowing the US to influence crude oil purchases. He said, “The oil we purchase — Narendra Modi handed it over to America.
Today, if India wants to buy oil from other countries, permission is needed — whose permission? Donald Trump’s, America’s. Today, if we want to buy oil from Russia, Iran, or Iraq, we cannot buy it without asking Donald Trump.
”He further alleged that India’s data had been handed over to the US. “They can do whatever they want with our data, store it wherever they want,” he said.Rahul also claimed Modi had committed India to buying goods worth Rs 9 lakh crore annually from American companies, which he said would hurt small businesses and medium industries.
“Narendra Modi gave a lot to America, but America gave nothing to India — nothing at all. Their taxes were reduced, our taxes were increased, they took our data, took our oil, took away our agriculture. So the question arises — why this deal?” he said.In a fresh attack, Rahul referred to the Epstein files and alleged, “Narendra Modi’s entire character is contained within those files. Donald Trump abuses Modi, and Modi cannot say anything.
Donald Trump publicly says that I will destroy Narendra Modi’s career — ‘I will destroy him whenever I want.” And then in a tweet he says Narendra Modi “calls me Sir” — India’s Prime Minister calls me Sir.”Rahul also accused Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah of working together to transfer land in Assam to big corporates. “And the job of the Prime Minister and chief minister is to loot you.
It is straightforward — Prime Minister ji, Amit Shah, and Himanta ji have together set up an ATM here — an ATM of your land. Whatever land they need, they take it,” he said.He added, “Without asking you, he himself snatches your land. Adani’s solar project (18,000 bigha), Ambani (13,000) bigha, Adani thermal project (6,000 bigha), Adani power plant (1,400) bigha land, Ramdev — 7,000 bigha — they are directly snatching your land and giving it to them.”In Titabor, Rahul raised the issue of tea garden workers’ wages and accused
BJP
of failing to fulfil its promise of Rs 350 per day. “During the elections, they said you (tea garden workers) will be given Rs 350 rupees as wage per day. How much do you get, how much money do you get? They (BJP) now say they will give Rs 500 rupees. They didn’t fulfil the promise made 5 years ago, they lied to you, and then after that, 5 years later, they are lying again,” he said.
