Pargat Singh Targets CM Mann: Why the Silence on India-US Trade Pact from a Chief Minister Who Reacts to Every Trifle

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Former Education Minister and MLA Pargat Singh issued a stark warning that the India-US trade agreement poses a grave threat to the nation, particularly its farmers. He questioned why the Aam Aadmi Party—which professes to champion farmers' causes—is resorting to mere posturing on this critical issue, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remains conspicuously mute. Pargat Singh affirmed that the Congress Party will not compromise on farmers' welfare.

Pargat Singh charged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has capitulated entirely before Union Home Minister Amit Shah on this trade pact, which imperils farmers and agriculture at large. He noted that Mann, ever vociferous on minor provocations, and the AAP government have maintained a silence on this pivotal agreement, raising profound questions about their priorities. This reticence only underscores that AAP is toeing the BJP's line. Pargat Singh, reaffirmed that AAP functions as the BJP's B-team.

He emphasized that this pact transcends a mere commercial document; it imperils the livelihoods of millions of farmers across Punjab and the country. With an 18% tariff on Indian agricultural exports to the US and zero tariffs on incoming American products, domestic farmers face direct devastation. Punjab's growers already grapple with unremunerative prices and escalating input costs; an influx of cheap foreign produce would spell ruin for smallholders.

Pargat Singh pointed out that most Indian farmers are small and marginal operators, ill-equipped to compete with multinational giants. Should low-priced US wheat, corn, soybeans, and dairy flood Indian markets, they would be obliterated. Farmer unions also fear that international pressures could erode minimum support prices (MSP) and agricultural subsidies.

The Centre, having already assaulted Punjab farmers with three black laws, now gambles their future anew through this deal. Pargat Singh accused the government of peddling selective benefits to mislead farmers, but insisted Punjab's agrarians will not be hoodwinked. They will resist resolutely, with Congress steadfastly by their side.

Issued by:* 

Office of MLA Paragat Singh

Secretary, All India Congress Committee and Former Education Minister