“Will Trump Kidnap Our PM Next?” — Prithviraj Chavan Triggers Storm Over US Tariff

Mumbai: Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan ignited a sharp political controversy on Tuesday after drawing parallels between India’s economic situation and the recent turmoil in Venezuela, following reports of steep tariffs imposed on India.

Reacting to the developments, Chavan questioned whether India could be pushed toward a Venezuela-like scenario, referring to recent US actions against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. “What’s next? Will Mr Trump kidnap our Prime Minister?” Chavan asked, in remarks that quickly sparked strong reactions across political lines.

Speaking to the media, Chavan warned that imposing a 50 percent tariff would effectively choke bilateral trade. “With a 50 percent tariff, trade is simply not possible. This is not just a tax — it is a tool to block India–US trade, particularly Indian exports to the United States,” he said. He added that while a direct trade ban may not be feasible, tariffs were being used to achieve the same outcome, placing the burden squarely on Indian exporters and workers.

According to Chavan, such measures would deprive Indian businesses of profits earned through US markets, impacting employment and economic stability. He cautioned that the long-term consequences could be severe if diplomatic channels fail to address the issue.

The remarks drew an immediate backlash from the BJP. Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari condemned Chavan’s comments, accusing the Congress of displaying what he termed an “anti-India mindset.” In a post on social media platform X, Bhandari said the Congress was “sinking to a new low every day” by making irresponsible comparisons that undermine national interests.

Chavan’s comments came amid dramatic developments in Venezuela, where US forces recently entered the capital and detained President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Trump administration accused Maduro of leading a large-scale drug trafficking network and declared his government corrupt and illegitimate.

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed office as interim president. In her first statement, she described the detention of Maduro as a “kidnapping,” even as thousands of his supporters poured onto the streets of Caracas in protest.