Watch: 'Meri advice sunte to Opposition mein na hote,' ex-Congress member Jagdambika Pal’s reply to Rahul Gandhi in Parliament

The Lok Sabha witnessed a sharp exchange between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Jagdambika Pal, who was presiding over the proceedings during the debate on the Union Budget.

Gandhi referred to Pal as an “ex-Congress member”, prompting a response from the Chair. Pal replied in Hindi, “Meri advice liye hote, toh aaj bhi Opposition mein nahi baithe rehte.”



On Wednesday, the House turned intense as Gandhi launched a strong attack on the Modi government over the proposed India-US interim trade deal, alleging that India’s core interests had been compromised.

He described the agreement as a “wholesale surrender”, claiming the government had handed over control of India’s energy security, farmers’ interests and digital data to the United States.

According to Gandhi, the deal favours American companies while weakening India’s bargaining power.

“This is a surrender,” he said, adding that the government had effectively allowed the US to decide “who we buy oil from”.

‘India should negotiate as an equal’

Drawing an analogy from martial arts, Gandhi said negotiations should not end in a “chokehold”.

“In martial arts, first you get a grip, then a chokehold, and then the opponent taps out. That is what has happened here,” he told the House.

He argued that an INDIA bloc government would have negotiated very differently.

“We would tell President Trump to treat India as an equal, not as if we are your servants,” Gandhi said.

He stressed that Indian data is a strategic asset, energy security is non-negotiable, and farmers must be protected.

He added that no government should allow foreign pressure to dictate national policy.

Claims on farmers, energy and digital rules

Gandhi alleged that under the trade deal, farmers’ interests have been compromised, textile and small industries could suffer, digital trade rules have been relaxed, data localisation has been removed, and American firms have been given greater access.

He also claimed India’s tariff structure had worsened and that US imports would rise sharply, calling the figures “absurd”.

“For the first time, our farmers are facing a storm,” he said. “You have opened the door to mechanised American farms and crushed small farmers.”

Treasury benches push back

Treasury bench MPs repeatedly objected, accusing Gandhi of making “baseless” allegations and asking him to authenticate his claims.

Jagdambika Pal also cautioned him against naming individuals who were not present in the House.

Outside Parliament, Gandhi continued his criticism, alleging that external pressure was influencing the government’s decisions.

“No prime minister surrenders like this without massive pressure,” he told reporters.

Inputs from agencies