Already sang and danced: Rahul Gandhi jabs PM over Israel trip; BJP hits back

In a fresh escalation of the war of words over the India-US interim trade deal, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday taunted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying more than 24 hours had passed since he challenged him to scrap the agreement and that he had “quietly slipped off to Israel”.

The BJP responded swiftly, accusing Gandhi of dragging India’s image abroad and claiming the prime minister was strengthening national security ties during his visit.

RAHUL’S SWIPE OVER TRADE DEAL

In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi wrote, “Narendra ‘Surrender’ Modi, it’s been more than 24 hours since I challenged you to cancel the US Trade Deal, and once again, you’ve quietly slipped off to Israel.”

“At least once, you’ve already ‘danced and sung’ in Israel at Epstein’s behest, so this time, on whose orders will you strike a deal against the country’s interests and return?” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

The remarks came a day after Gandhi, speaking at a ‘Kisan Mahachaupal’ rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal on Tuesday, described the Indo-US interim trade deal as “an arrow in the heart of farmers”.

“After the US Supreme Court ruling on the trade deal global tariffs, I challenge PM Modi to scrap it if he has courage but he won’t be able to do so,” Gandhi had said, alleging that the agreement was sealed under pressure.

He has also claimed that the prime minister approved the pact under external pressure linked to the threat of releasing “Epstein files” and an ongoing criminal case involving industrialist Gautam Adani in the US.

BJP HITS BACK

The BJP countered that the prime minister was “addressing the Knesset in Israel and securing India with technologies like the ‘Sudarshan Chakra’”.

National spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said on X that Modi “doesn’t go on secret vacations in Thailand and Colombia and project the country in poor light like you do”.

Bhatia also asked Gandhi to disclose details of the memorandum of understanding the Congress had signed with the Chinese Communist Party a few years ago.

“Why is it that you have a secret friendship with China and are so resentful of India’s progress?” he asked, adding, “Modi is elevating the country’s reputation on the world stage, while you and your clan only conspire to defame India on international forums.”

US SUPREME COURT RULING

The political clash follows a significant development in the United States. In a 6-3 verdict, the US Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on nations around the world were illegal, saying he had exceeded his authority in imposing the sweeping levies.

The ruling has added fresh momentum to the Opposition’s attack, with Gandhi arguing that the interim trade arrangement with the US should be revisited in light of the judgment.

The Centre has not issued a detailed response to Gandhi’s latest challenge, even as the row over the agreement intensifies.

- Ends

With inputs from PTI

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