Punjab Finance Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central Government during a press conference at the party office, alleging that a proposed US-India deal is part of a larger plan that could harm Indian agriculture and particularly impact Punjab’s farmers.
He accused the Centre of working against the interests of the farming community, stating, “The BJP-led Central Government has prepared a big scheme and conspiracy to destroy Punjab’s farmers and sell India’s agriculture to the USA through this so-called US-India deal.”
Cheema warned that the entry of low-cost agricultural products from the United States, including milk powder, cheese and grains, could severely affect farmers in Punjab and across India. Raising concerns over the potential consequences, he asked, “Where will Punjab’s farmers go? Where will the country’s farmers go?”
Highlighting Punjab’s long-standing contribution to the nation’s food security, the minister said the state’s farmers have supported India’s food buffer for decades through large-scale wheat and paddy production. He added, “It is shameful that the same annadata who brought a large-scale food revolution in the country is now being targeted through a deep political and economic conspiracy.”
Cheema also criticised the BJP’s nationalist claims, alleging that the party had compromised national interests. According to him, the Centre has surrendered to external pressure and is attempting to make India economically dependent again.
Referring to a social media post by US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Cheema said the intent behind the agreement was evident. “The US Agriculture Secretary publicly thanked President Trump and openly celebrated the deal, stating that it would export more American farm products into India’s massive market, lift American prices, pump cash into rural America and strengthen the US economy. This is clear evidence that the deal is not being done for Indian farmers, but for American farmers,” he asserted.
The Punjab minister questioned statements made by BJP leaders in the state who have claimed that the agreement would benefit Punjab. Targeting Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Cheema said the party had failed to respond to the remarks made by the US Agriculture Secretary. Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asked, “Do you have the courage to quote-tweet this statement and respond to America?”
He further demanded that BJP leaders, including Sunil Jakhar, BJP working president Ashwini Sharma and MP Ravneet Bittu, disclose the details of the agreement to the public. He said, “Show the documents. Make them public. These are the documents through which you are trying to destroy the country.”
Speaking about tariff changes, Cheema claimed that duties on Indian exports to the US, which were earlier around 50 percent, had been reduced to 18 percent, while tariffs on certain imports into India had been brought down to zero. “On the other hand, the tariff on products India will import has been reduced to zero. This clearly shows that the BJP, which works for big corporate houses and is run by big corporate families, is now trying to sell India’s farmers to capitalists, and is doing it through the USA,” he added.
He accused the BJP of favouring corporate interests over ordinary citizens and alleged that the party was governing the country with the support of a select few business families while compromising national interests.
The minister also criticised the BJP’s ideological stance, saying the party did not understand the significance of India’s independence movement. He said, “Not only the current leaders, but even their older leadership had no role in the struggle to free the country. The people from Punjab and many other states, including Bengalis and citizens across different regions, crushed British rule and drove the British out to secure India’s independence.”
Cheema concluded by alleging that the BJP was attempting to hand over the country’s interests to foreign powers and challenged party leaders to an open debate on the issue. “The AAP will expose exactly how the BJP has sold Punjab’s and India’s farmers,” he said.
He also warned that the people of Punjab would resist any move that threatens the livelihood and dignity of farmers, adding that the party would take its message to every village and household in the state.
