BJP firebrand Nishikant Dubey has issued a direct challenge to Rahul Gandhi for an open debate, accusing the Congress scion of peddling a ‘false narrative’ on US-India trade deals and their impact on cotton farmers.
Responding sharply to Gandhi’s X post, Dubey tore into the claims that US imposes 18% duties on Indian apparel while offering Bangladesh duty-free entry. ‘This is deliberate misinformation aimed at farmers,’ Dubey charged from New Delhi.
Calling for transparency, Dubey listed key facts needing debate: India’s annual cotton production stats, the indispensable role of US cotton imports for textile competitiveness, and the economic pressures on domestic mills. He emphasized how imports fill seasonal shortages, bolstering exports that sustain jobs.
Dubey painted a comprehensive picture of the sector’s challenges. Indian farmers grapple with fluctuating yields due to weather and pests, while mills face global competition. ‘Rahul’s selective outrage ignores how US imports actually protect our industry,’ he countered.
The verbal salvo didn’t stop at economics. Dubey linked Gandhi’s rhetoric to broader concerns, questioning influences from international players like George Soros and their overlap with domestic insurgencies. He positioned himself ready for any platform to unpack these threads publicly.
Contextually, this comes after Dubey’s Lok Sabha speech demanding Gandhi’s expulsion, referencing Indira Gandhi’s 1978 precedent. With trade negotiations in focus, Dubey’s gambit pressures the opposition to substantiate claims.
Observers see this as BJP’s preemptive strike ahead of key legislative battles. A debate, if it materializes, could spotlight real farmer welfare measures versus populist posturing, influencing rural voter sentiment nationwide.