NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs Thursday staged a protest in the Parliament complex over the India-US interim trade deal, accusing Modi govt of surrendering Indian interests. They also lent support to trade unions’ nationwide bandh against the newly-notified labour codes.Mallikarjun Kharge, T R Baalu, Dharmendra Yadav, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Sudama Prasad, among a host of MPs, raised slogans at the Parliament entrance while holding a huge banner emblazoned with “Trap Deal”, and carrying “Narender Surrender” posters.Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi accused govt of “ignoring” the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions concerning their future.Kharge said trade unions, farmers, and workers are on the streets against Modi govt’s trade deal, labour laws and “snatching away” of MGNREGA. “We stand firmly against the anti-people ‘Trap Deal’, which has mortgaged the future of millions of toiling farmers, workers, and labourers. Succumbing to foreign pressure, Modi govt has tampered with the lives of crores of citizens of the country,” he said.Gandhi wondered if PM Modi will listen to farmers and workers now, or if the “grip” on him is too strong, in what was a reference to his LS speech. Kharge said, “From the streets to Parliament, our struggle will continue.” MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Govt is betraying the farmers. The kind of trade deal they have signed will result in suffering for farmers. We are supporting labour unions in their strike today.” In a meeting with party Lok Sabha MPs later, Rahul praised the opposition for dominating first half of the Budget session and for cornering govt on critical issues. TNN
