BJP MP Ashok Mittal slams Opposition protests, backs India-US trade deal
Synopsis
BJP MP Ashok Mittal fired on multiple fronts on Thursday — dismissing Opposition protests as a public inconvenience, alleging a drug-smuggler-government nexus in Punjab, and declaring India's trade deal with the US is virtually done. The remarks package together domestic political attack lines with a bullish signal on trade diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
BJP MP Ashok Mittal on 22 October said Opposition protests inconvenience citizens and push the public away rather than winning support.
Mittal noted the matter before the Opposition is under Supreme Court and Election Commission of India scrutiny.
He alleged a nexus between Punjab 's state administration and drug smugglers, calling it a driver of the state's drug crisis — allegations the Punjab government disputes.
India has concluded trade agreements with the UK , New Zealand , and others; negotiations with the US are at the 'final stage', Mittal said.
He asserted India will not compromise its national interests in any trade agreement with the United States .
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Ashok Mittal on Thursday, 22 October criticised the Opposition for staging protests, arguing that such demonstrations waste time, inconvenience citizens, and ultimately push the public further away rather than winning their support. Mittal made the remarks in New Delhi, covering a range of issues from street protests to the drug crisis in Punjab and India's advancing trade negotiations with the United States.
Mittal's Criticism of Opposition Protests
The BJP MP said the Opposition should redirect its energy toward grassroots outreach instead of holding demonstrations. 'Unfortunately, the Opposition is wasting its time on protests. They should work for the country and the people. Why don't they work for the public by reaching out to them? What will these protests achieve? They are wasting their own time and causing inconvenience to people,' he said.
Mittal further argued that such protests create traffic jams and compel shopkeepers to close their businesses, hurting ordinary citizens. 'This will only distance the public from them, not bring them closer,' he added. He also noted that the matter under contention is currently before the Supreme Court, which is examining it, while the Election Commission of India (ECI) is also reviewing it independently.
Punjab Drug Crisis: Allegations Against State Government
Mittal weighed in on the ongoing drug problem in Punjab, alleging that anti-social elements, gangsters, and drug smugglers are fuelling the crisis — and that the situation persists because of what he described as complicity within the state administration.
'Anti-social elements, gangsters and drug smugglers are spreading the drug problem in Punjab. However, this is possible because of the government's involvement. It is very unfortunate that the government, administration and drug smugglers are working together, with links between them,' he alleged. Mittal claimed that once the BJP came to power in the state, such collusion would end and the problem would be resolved. The allegations, which are unverified, are contested by the Punjab government.
India-US Trade Deal at 'Final Stage', Says Mittal
On India's trade diplomacy, Mittal expressed confidence that a bilateral trade agreement with the United States would be concluded shortly. He noted that India had already finalised deals with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and several other countries, and that negotiations with Washington had reached an advanced stage.
'India has already completed trade agreements with the UK, New Zealand and several other countries. The agreement with the US is at the final stage. US President Donald Trump himself has said so, and his senior ministers have also visited India. That agreement will also be completed,' Mittal said.
He stressed that India would not sacrifice its national interests at the negotiating table. 'Any trade agreement will be concluded with India's interests in mind and will prove to be a new milestone for India and its trade,' he added.
Broader Context
Mittal's remarks come amid heightened Opposition activity in Parliament and on the streets, with several parties mounting demonstrations over electoral and governance issues. His reference to Supreme Court and ECI scrutiny suggests the protests are linked to ongoing legal and electoral matters, though he did not specify a particular agitation by name. On the trade front, India and the US have been in prolonged negotiations over tariff and market-access terms, with multiple high-level visits signalling momentum.
Whether the India-US deal clears its remaining hurdles — and whether the Opposition's protest strategy shifts course — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the timing — with a live Supreme Court matter and ECI review in the background — gives it a specific edge, essentially telling protesters that the institutional route has superseded the street. His Punjab drug allegations are politically charged and unverified; without documentary evidence, they function more as an election-cycle salvo than a policy argument. Most substantively, his confident claim that the India-US trade deal is at the 'final stage' deserves scrutiny: negotiations have been described as advanced for over a year, and the sticking points — agriculture, digital trade, and tariff reciprocity — remain unresolved. A politician's optimism is not a timeline.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP MP Ashok Mittal say about Opposition protests?
Mittal said the Opposition is wasting time on protests that create traffic jams and force shops to shut, inconveniencing ordinary citizens. He argued the Opposition should instead reach out to people directly and work to address their concerns.
What allegations did Mittal make about Punjab's drug problem?
Mittal alleged that anti-social elements, gangsters, and drug smugglers are spreading Punjab's drug crisis with the complicity of the state government and administration. These are contested allegations; the Punjab government has not been given a formal opportunity to respond in this report.
What did Mittal say about the India-US trade deal?
He said negotiations between India and the United States have reached the 'final stage', citing statements by US President Donald Trump and visits by senior American ministers to India. He added that India would not compromise its national interests in finalising the agreement.
Which countries has India already signed trade agreements with, according to Mittal?
Mittal said India has completed trade agreements with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and several other countries. He expressed confidence that the US agreement would follow soon.
Why did Mittal refer to the Supreme Court and Election Commission?
Mittal referenced the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India to argue that the issue driving Opposition protests is already being examined through proper institutional channels, implying that street demonstrations are therefore unnecessary.
