Cong MLAs protest India-US deal, BJP alleges internal rift

Jaipur: Congress MLAs Thursday staged a protest at the Rajasthan Assembly, wearing white T-shirts bearing the slogan "PM is compromised" to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-US trade deal. The legislators later participated in House proceedings wearing the same T-shirts.The MLAs initially gathered near the main complex entry, holding placards and raising slogans. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully alleged that India's interests were not adequately safeguarded during the trade negotiations and claimed that under US pressure, agricultural and dairy products could be allowed greater access to the Indian market, which he said would hurt farmers and weaken the rural economy.
The BJP rejected the allegation, with minister of state for home affairs Jawahar Singh Bedham saying the protest highlighted internal divisions in the Congress. He claimed several MLAs, including Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra, did not wear the designated T-shirts, which he described as a sign of disunity. Bedham said Congress MLAs knew the trade deal is in the national interest.Separately, the state assembly also saw concerns raised over the ongoing strike by private bus operators, with members citing widespread disruption across Rajasthan. Congress MLA Shikha Meel Barala accused the govt of inaction, stating that nearly 35,000 private buses were off the roads, leaving over 3.5 lakh people unemployed and causing major inconvenience to passengers ahead of Holi. Barala said migrant workers were unable to return home, patients faced difficulties reaching medical facilities, and devotees travelling to the Khatu Shyamji temple fair were stranded in Jaipur. She also alleged that taxi operators were charging excessive fares and claimed the govt was more focused on mobilising crowds for Modi's rally than resolving the transport deadlock. Independent MLA Chandrabhan Singh Aakya called for immediate intervention, alleging that only 33% of private buses were operating and that small vehicle operators were being subjected to excessive challans, which he described as harassment in the name of enforcement.