Referring to the India–US relations, Baghel alleged that US President Donald Trump “dictated” terms to Modi. He criticised the recent trade agreement, claiming it was heavily skewed in favour of the US. According to him, while the US imposed an 18% tariff on Indian goods, India agreed to 0% tariffs on American imports.He said even Pakistan imposes an 11% tariff on US goods, while India under Modi accepted 0% tariffs.On domestic issues, Baghel targeted the Centre’s move to alter MGNREGA, asserting that the govt would be forced to restore the scheme in its original form, just as it repealed the three controversial farm laws after sustained public pressure.Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that Modi was hostile towards MGNREGA from Day 1, adding that he gradually weakened the law which guaranteed 100 days’ work in a year to the rural poor.Taking a dig at the govt’s claims that it will now provide 125 days a year, he said when it could not provide 100 days, how would it be able to provide 125 days.The PPCC president also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt in Punjab, saying it failed MGNREGA workers as it stopped providing work much before the new law was brought in. He asserted that the Congress will fight right till the time MGNREGA is not restored. Punjab leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said MGNREGA was not a charity scheme, but a lifeline for rural Punjab and a legal right of the poor. “BJP destroyed every right given to the poor and common citizen of this country by the Congress,” he added.AICC general secretary, Gurdaspur MP and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also addressed the rally.
