Lok Sabha: Rahul Gandhi slams India-US trade deal, alleges PM Modi's connection to Epstein files

New Delhi: Today is the second day of the budget debate in the Parliament. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi spoke during the budget debate in the Lok Sabha. He began by pointing out that the world is going through a period of uncertainty. Acoording to the Congress leader, at the center of this global uncertainty is the concept of AI. 

What did the Lok Sabha Speaker tell Rahul Gandhi?

The Speaker interrupted Rahul Gandhi, saying, "You promised not to name any ministers, but you're repeatedly naming them. You once said you wouldn't name names, and then you're doing it again." You are disobeying the Chair's ruling. This is not the way of the Leader of the Opposition. You should know what should be said on the budget. When the House discusses various topics, you should know what to say. I will speak, but I must speak within the rules. You were repeatedly given time to speak, yet you are bringing a no-confidence motion. You have been speaking for 40 minutes, and then you say you are not being allowed to speak. Let's finish."

In reply, Rahul Gandhi said, "I was asked to authenticate, and I am doing so. I am tabled the documents, but you are not letting me do so. I understand your problem." Rijiju then said, "We must authenticate through the process."

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Rahul Gandhi said, "Wholesale surrender, the country has been sold. I want to say that no one was born who could sell the country. Narendra Modi is the strongest Prime Minister of the country."

Rahul Gandhi said, "There is a certain businessman whose name is in the Epstein file, but he has not been jailed." He faces criminal charges. Rijiju said Rahul Gandhi is making baseless allegations. He told the presiding officer, Jagdambika Pal, "You're an ex-member of our party, you expect special protection. Don't be aggressive."

Jagdambika Pal replied, "These are allegations against the Chair, Shailaja ji is from your party. If you had listened to our advice, you would have been on the right track; you wouldn't be there today. The whole country is watching you, speak on the budget. The allegations won't be recorded."

Rahul Gandhi then said, "No Indian Prime Minister, including PM Modi, would have signed this deal unless he was choked." The presiding officer interrupted him. Rahul Gandhi said, "Let me conclude, otherwise it will take two or three hours." Rahul Gandhi said, "India handed over data. Our farmers were handed over to American firms. There's no logic in this, sir. What has happened is a complete surrender. You allowed me to speak a little too much today. This is a wholesale surrender." This isn't just the PM's surrender, it's the surrender of the country's 1.4 billion population, and the BJP's financial structure is behind it. Rijiju objected to this, saying that despite the Chairman's ruling, repeated allegations are being made. He said, "I'm authenticating it. I'm giving everything." The Chairperson replied that the Minister had said it. "The Chair hadn't asked you. Hardeep Puri's name is mentioned, and Anil Ambani's name is mentioned," he said.

Why did Rahul Gandhi attack India-US deal?

Rahul Gandhi attacked the government and alleged that US President Donald Trump is influencing PM Modi's decisions. T"hey opened our agricultural sector to America. The government didn't think about farmers. They're not ashamed of selling India. America's tariffs have increased from 3% to 18%. Fear is visible in the PM's eyes. There are two reasons for this, one is Epstein," he claimed.

"There seems to be a chokehold on the central government's defense budget, and that person is Mr. Adani. Adani is not an ordinary businessman, nor is his company an ordinary company. There is a case against his company in America, the target is the PM, not Adani. This company is the financial structure of the BJP," Rahul Gandhi said.

Ravi Shankar Prasad objected to this and said that making false statements has become their habit. Kiren Rijiju also objected to this. "Anil Ambani is a businessman. Why is he not in jail? The reason is the Epstein file. Hardeep Puri is a minister, a member of this House," Rahul Gandhi added.