Goyal slams Rahul for ‘misinfo’ on US deal
Not allowed to speak in Parl: LoP
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday rejected Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegations over the India-US trade deal, accusing him of spreading misinformation and undermining confidence in India’s economic decisions at a sensitive moment.
The sharp exchange unfolded after the agreement was announced, turning the trade pact into a fresh flashpoint between the government and the Opposition.
Addressing a press conference here, Goyal said the pact was designed to protect Indian exporters and revive sectors hit hard by steep US tariffs. He said the government wanted to place details of the agreement before Parliament but alleged that the Congress and its allies disrupted proceedings and blocked discussion.
Goyal rejected the allegation that India had conceded under pressure. He questioned the Opposition’s resistance to a deal that, according to the government, was aimed at safeguarding jobs, supporting exporters and strengthening India’s trade position.
Rahul earlier accused PM Narendra Modi of yielding to US pressure to finalise the deal and alleged that Indian farmers had been betrayed. He alleged he was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha and claimed that this was the first time a Leader of Opposition had been prevented from speaking on the President’s Address.
Meanwhile, Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha J P Nadda said the Opposition’s behaviour was anti-national and irresponsible, as the Upper House witnessed repeated disruptions on Tuesday after members of several Opposition parties staged a walkout demanding a discussion on the Indo-US trade deal and questioning the manner in which details of the agreement were being made public.
Referring to the reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, Nadda said, “I can clearly see the frustration of the Opposition, which always has the tendency to see evil in the good.”
“I want to assure the House that the government is ready to discuss the Indo-US trade deal and provide all minute details of the deal,” Nadda further said.
