New Delhi: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, accusing the Centre of weakening India’s foreign policy and acting under American pressure.
Speaking at a public gathering in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, Kharge asked on government’s handling of global issues and India’s ties with Washington. He also referred to allegations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
“Epstein files that America has contains records of who has done what, where they have gone, what enjoyment they did on that island. Using it Trump has caught hold of Modi’s nose…
fearing the Epstein files, Modi has bowed his head down and his mouth is shut,” Kharge said while addressing a gathering in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi.
He also attacked the US president directly and accused Modi of yielding to him.
“He (Trump) is a dictator. Modi is his gulam (slave),” Kharge said.
Criticism over Middle East crisis
Kharge also criticised the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and accused the United States of violating international law.
“It (Iran) is also a country, its supreme leader was murdered…if
the leader of a country is killed will that country and the world be safe? Think about it. Whether it is Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei or Venezuela’s leader (Nicolas Maduro Moros). If leaders of countries are threatened like this, there will be no peace in the world,” he said.
Trade and farmers’ concerns
Kharge raised concerns about India’s trade ties with the United States. He said American pressure could harm India’s farmers.
“Sixty five per cent of our farmers are dependent on agriculture, while it is 3 per cent in America. What will happen to our farmers? With friendship with such people (Trump), you (Modi) are destroying our country, pushing it to slavery. You have pledged the country for American interests. You act as America says,” he added.
He also accused Washington of forcing India to change its energy purchase decisions.
“Modi calls Trump his friend. India used to get oil from Russia, but Trump said not to do so, or else he will impose tariffs. This is what Modi’s dost (friend) has done,” Kharge said.
Questions on foreign policy
Kharge questioned why the prime minister had not spoken against what he described as unfair treatment by the United States.
“Modi speaks so much. He does Mann Ki Baat. Why doesn’t he speak now, when America is doing so much injustice to us by asking us, not to get oil as per our choice,” he said.
He also criticised Modi for focusing on election campaigns instead of governance. Kharge said India once played a strong role in world affairs through initiatives such as the Non Aligned Movement.
The Union government has earlier rejected references to Prime Minister Modi in the Jeffrey Epstein files. Officials described them as “little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal that deserves to be dismissed with the utmost contempt”.
Kharge also referred to former prime minister Indira Gandhi while attacking the government’s response to global issues.
“When Pakistan tried to do so, Indira Gandhi divided that country and created Bangladesh,” he said.
“She did it without fear when the US sent a huge warship to the region then. Modi, why don’t you have such courage,” Kharge asked.