Overview
- On February 4, the Samajwadi Party chief labeled the proposed agreement a surrender and questioned assurances about protecting agriculture and dairy.
- He tied his critique to reports that the arrangement would cut US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, warning this would open India’s market to American farm produce.
- He accused the BJP of betraying farmers who make up a large share of the population, alleging the party serves foreign and corporate interests and demanding disclosure on any commission.
- He warned of new middlemen and profiteering leading to higher food prices, declining farm incomes, and pressure on farmers to sell land to big business, and he urged organized resistance.
- He also targeted the proposed Seed Bill as dangerous for Indian agriculture, and the articles carried no government response to his allegations.