Last Updated on February 12, 2026 12:56 am by BIZNAMA NEWS
Sold Bharat Mata”: Rahul Gandhi Launches Scathing Attack on India-US Trade Deal in Budget Debate
A AKHTER / NEW DELHI
The Lok Sabha Wednesday witnessed high-voltage drama as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi traded sharp blows over the Union Budget 2026-27, national sovereignty, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on India’s workforce.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE PUSH
Replying to the budget debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the government is doubling down on infrastructure to drive employment. She detailed a public capital expenditure (Capex) of ₹12.22 lakh crore—3.1% of the GDP and an 11.5% increase over previous estimates. When combined with state provisions, the “effective capex” reaches a massive ₹17.1 lakh crore.
Sitharaman dismissed Opposition claims of fund discrimination, stating that ₹25.44 lakh crore would be transferred to states this year, adhering strictly to the Finance Commission’s 41% devolution formula. She highlighted new initiatives like “Mega Entrepreneurship Building Centres” and a focus on “new-age textiles” to transform students from job seekers into job creators.
RAHUL GANDHI’S “SURRENDER” ALLEGATION
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi delivered a combative speech, accusing the government of “selling Bharat Mata” through a one-sided interim trade deal with the United States. He alleged that the government had buckled under external pressure, handing over India’s data and energy security to Washington while compromising the interests of Indian farmers.
Gandhi further warned that the budget fails to address a “looming global storm.” He specifically flagged Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a massive threat to India’s IT sector, predicting that AI would replace large numbers of engineers at firms like Infosys unless India secures total control over its “data currency.”
CLASH OVER NATIONAL SECURITY
The debate took a personal and historical turn when Sitharaman hit back, accusing the previous UPA regime of weakening India’s global standing. She cited the 2009 Sharm El-Sheikh joint statement and the 2013 WTO agreement as instances where the Congress-led government “surrendered” national interests.
In contrast, Rahul Gandhi used martial arts metaphors to describe the Prime Minister’s current stance as a “chokehold” by global powers, asserting that the “era of war” has begun and the budget provides no concrete shield for India’s sovereignty.
REGIONAL AND SECTORAL VOICES
While BJP members like Sudheer Gupta and Anurag Thakur hailed the budget as a blueprint for a “Developed India by 2047,” regional leaders raised concerns. AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi alleged a compromise on energy security, and Congress MP KC Venugopal claimed that 34% of Indians still survive on less than ₹100 a day, questioning the “Viksit Bharat” narrative.
The House was adjourned until February 12 after repeated disruptions and sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches.
