Uproar in Rajya Sabha: Opposition Confronts Centre Over US Trade Pact and Viral Remarks

The Upper House of Parliament turned into a theater of fierce debate on Tuesday, February 11, 2026, as the discussion on the Union Budget 2026-27 was overshadowed by two explosive issues. While the Opposition focused its fire on the perceived lack of transparency in the new India-US interim trade agreement, a separate domestic row involving controversial remarks about West Bengal led to a total breakdown of order and a Trinamool Congress (TMC) walkout.

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Economic Standoff: The “Reciprocal” Trade Deal Debate

The core of the Opposition’s attack centered on the reciprocal tariff adjustments recently announced by the Trump administration.

• The “Transparency” Gap: Congress MP Jebi Mather Hisham and CPI(M)’s John Brittas slammed the government for allowing major policy shifts to be announced via social media platform X by the US President before being tabled in the Indian Parliament.

• Farmer Security: The Opposition raised alarms over Washington’s claims that the deal would “open up” India’s agricultural sector to US farm goods, questioning what protections remain for local growers.

• Economic Performance: NCP (SP) MP Fauzia Khan pointed out that despite “fastest-growing” claims, India still lags significantly behind the global average on the Human Development Index.

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Geopolitical Pivot: Concerns Over Russia and Russian Oil

A major point of contention was the reported shift in India’s energy procurement strategy.

• Abandoning Allies? TMC’s Sukhendu Sekhar Ray demanded clarity on whether India has “wilfully left out” its time-tested friend, Russia, in favor of US-dictated oil purchases from Venezuela and North America.

• The “Expansionism” Charge: RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha and others alleged that the NDA government has succumbed to “US economic expansionism,” trading sovereign energy choices for marginal tariff reductions.

The “Mini Pakistan” Remark: Kolkata Port Land Controversy

The session took a sharp turn into communal and regional friction during Question Hour.

• The Comment: West Bengal BJP President and MP Samik Bhattacharya alleged that 170 acres of prime Kolkata Port land (Garden Reach and Metiabruz) are under illegal occupation. He claimed these areas are publicly referred to as “mini Pakistan” by the Mayor of Kolkata (Firhad Hakim).

• The Reaction: TMC MPs immediately erupted in protest, labeling the remark “divisive” and “unparliamentary.”

• Expunging the Word: Fauzia Khan urged the Chairman to expunge the term, stating, “You cannot call Indian citizens the citizens of Pakistan.”

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Voices from the Floor: Key Arguments and Objections

“If it is a dead economy, how is it the fastest growing in the world? Some people overseas and here have the wilful ignorance to call our economy dead.” — Murli Deora, Shiv Sena (NDA)

“Is this House more important than Elon Musk’s X platform? Why is the Prime Minister responding to ‘teasers’ on social media at 11 PM instead of addressing Parliament?” — John Brittas, CPI(M)

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[RAJYA SABHA DISPUTE SUMMARY – FEB 10, 2026]

Next Steps

To understand the full scope of the trade controversy, you should look for the Suo Motu statement expected to be delivered by the Commerce Minister in the coming days, which will detail the exact “reciprocity” clauses. Furthermore, keep an eye on the Rajya Sabha Secretariat’s daily bulletin to see if the controversial “mini Pakistan” remarks have been officially expunged from the permanent record.

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