PM Modi Lok Sabha Address Sparks Tension: Kharge Hits Out at Manipur 'Militarised Zone' and US-India Trade Deal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the Lok Sabha at 5 PM today, marking his first speech after the landmark US-India trade deal slashed tariffs from 50% to 18%. The session unfolds amid high drama, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge slamming the BJP government in Rajya Sabha, calling Manipur a "militarised zone" and accusing it of treating women as mere vote banks.
Parliament Erupts Over US-India Trade Deal
The US-India trade deal, hailed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal as "historic," protects India's agriculture and boosts exports. Goyal told the Lok Sabha it safeguards 140 crore Indians' interests and advances Viksit Bharat 2047. Yet, opposition fury peaked—Rahul Gandhi alleged PM Modi was "compromised," flashing excerpts from ex-Army Chief Gen Naravane's unpublished memoir on the 2020 Ladakh standoff.
Proceedings adjourned multiple times due to slogan-shouting like "Surrender Modi." Eight opposition MPs—Gurjeet Aujla, Hibi Eden, Manickam Tagore, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Kiran Kumar Reddy, Dean Kuriakose, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, and S. Venkatesan—were suspended for throwing papers at the Speaker's podium.
Kharge's Five-Point Attack on BJP Govt
In Rajya Sabha, Kharge flagged key failures:
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Social Justice & Women: BJP treats women as vote banks; no women's reservation despite promises. RSS/BJP never had a woman president.
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Economy & Farmers: New labour codes harm workers; save MNREGA. 1% hold 40% wealth, 9.7 lakh govt jobs vacant.
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Manipur Crisis: State turned into "militarised zone"; minorities targeted via "bulldozer politics."
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Parliament Democracy: PM skips questions—only 13 of 8,123 answered. Governors in non-NDA states act as BJP offices.
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Schemes Mismanaged: SC/ST welfare scrapped; Abhyudaya under-utilised by 41%.
Kharge questioned the trade deal's timing: "Did India yield to US pressure? Farmers protected?"
Opposition Protests Intensify
Rahul Gandhi vowed to hand Naravane's book to PM Modi. SP's Akhilesh Yadav called it a "surrender." Suspended MP Prashant Padole protested outside. BJP's Nishikant Dubey countered with books on Gandhi family scams. Heated exchanges erupted—MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu refused Rahul's handshake, calling Gandhi family "Sikh murderers."
Speaker Om Birla urged decorum amid posters and well-rushing.
Why This Matters Now
With Budget Session ending Phase 1 on Feb 13, this PM Modi Lok Sabha address tests govt-opposition ties post-trade deal and Budget. Economic Survey eyes 6.8-7.2% GDP growth; pending bills loom. As global trade shifts, India's stance draws scrutiny—will Modi address Ladakh, Manipur, and deal details?
