Sold the Country": Rahul Gandhi's Nuclear Allegation on PM Modi

The Indian Parliament descended into unprecedented chaos today as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering "blackmail" narrative against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters after being blocked from addressing the Lok Sabha, Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister is "compromised" and was forced to sign the India-U.S. Trade Deal—which includes a pivot away from Russian oil—due to leverage held by Washington.

Gandhi explicitly linked the sudden finalization of the deal to two specific "pressure points": the ongoing Adani indictment in U.S. courts and unreleased documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had previously dismissed any links to the PM in the Epstein documents as "trashy ruminations," but Gandhi’s decision to move this fringe controversy into the mainstream marks a strategic shift from attacking the PM’s policies to attacking his personal agency.

The Context (How We Got Here)

• The Trigger: Following the Feb 2 announcement of the U.S.-India trade pact, Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise the issue in Parliament but was silenced under Rule 349, which forbids quoting from unpublished books or magazines.
• The Background: The "Adani pressure" narrative has been building since the 2024 U.S. indictment of Gautam Adani. Simultaneously, unverified claims about the PM's name appearing in Epstein-related emails surfaced on social media in late January 2026.
• The Escalation: Today's disruption led to the suspension of eight Congress MPs for "unruly behavior," after they reportedly tore papers and shouted slogans in the Well of the House in support of Gandhi.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

Rahul Gandhi (Leader of Opposition): The Accuser. By using the term "compromised," he is attempting to dismantle the PM’s "Strongman" image, reframing him as a leader who is "scared" of foreign intelligence revelations.

Anurag Thakur (BJP MP): The Defender. He slammed Gandhi’s "anti-India mindset," accusing the Congress of being "unhappy" that Indian exporters received tariff relief. He framed Gandhi’s allegations as a desperate attempt to undermine a national economic victory.

Randhir Jaiswal (MEA Spokesperson): The Fact-Checker. His previous statement labeling the Epstein references as "trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal" remains the government's primary shield against the "Kompromat" narrative.

The BIGSTORY Reframe (The "Strongman" Deconstruction)

For a decade, the Opposition’s "Crony Capitalism" attack (Modi-Adani) failed to significantly dent the PM’s popularity. Gandhi’s new "Blackmail Doctrine" is a more surgical strike. By claiming the PM is being "extorted" by the U.S. using the Adani case and Epstein files, Gandhi is telling the public that the PM’s "56-inch chest" has been deflated by foreign handlers. This isn't just a trade debate; it is an attempt to recast the Prime Minister from an "Arbiter of National Interest" to a "Hostage of Personal Secrets."

The Implications (Why This Matters)

• Diplomatic Stress: These allegations could strain the newly signed trade pact if Washington perceives the Indian Opposition as framing U.S. diplomacy as a form of international extortion.
• Parliamentary Paralysis: The suspension of 8 MPs suggests that the Budget Session may be a complete washout, with no meaningful debate on the actual economic specifics of the 18% tariff regime.
• The Disinformation Loop: The entry of "Epstein Files" into the LoP’s official rhetoric shows how deep-web conspiracy theories are now effectively bypassing traditional media gatekeepers to enter the floor of the House.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If political discourse shifts from debating "what is best for the country" to "who is holding what files on whom," does the voter ever actually get to hear the truth about the economy?

FAQs

Why did Rahul Gandhi call PM Modi 'compromised'? He alleged that the PM is under pressure from the U.S. government due to the Adani legal case and alleged unreleased information in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

What are the 'Epstein Files' allegations against PM Modi? Rahul Gandhi referred to unreleased material that he claims could damage the PM's image. The MEA has dismissed such references in the files as "trashy ruminations" with no basis in fact.

Why was Rahul Gandhi stopped from speaking in Parliament today? Speaker Om Birla invoked Rule 349, which prevents members from reading out quotes from unpublished books or magazine articles that are not related to the immediate business of the House.

Did India really agree to stop buying Russian oil? According to President Trump's announcement following the trade deal, India has agreed to shift its energy procurement from Russia to the U.S. and Venezuela.

What is the 'Adani Pressure Point' Rahul Gandhi mentioned? Gandhi claimed that the U.S. legal case against Gautam Adani is actually a "case against Modi," alleging that the U.S. used this as leverage to force India into the trade deal.

Sources

News Coverage

• The Hindu: Rahul Gandhi claims PM Modi 'compromised', too afraid to let LoP speak
• ANI News: "PM Modi is compromised": Rahul Gandhi's big allegations after India-US deal

Context & Analysis

• Indian Express: Rahul Gandhi's reference to General Naravane's memoir triggers Lok Sabha uproar
• Times Now: MEA dismisses Epstein email with PM reference as ‘trashy rumination’