New Delhi, September 16: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the proposed transaction fee on UPI payments, accusing the Centre of caving to pressure from the United States.

In a video message posted on X, Gandhi said the government should reconsider the proposed charges and called on the Prime Minister to “stand straight” and “take back the UPI tax.”

Drawing a comparison with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's response to a question about leaning left or right, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Modi had instead chosen to “lie down straight” before US President Donald Trump.

He further claimed that the proposed UPI charge would burden Indian citizens and benefit US-based payment networks. Gandhi urged the Prime Minister to “have a spine” and reverse the decision.

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also criticised the Centre over the proposed UPI transaction charges, referring to the reported 0.4 per cent charge as a “new Modi tax.” He alleged that the move reflected the government's approach towards the US and said ordinary citizens were facing increasing economic pressures.

Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also targeted the Modi government over its trade and digital payment policies. He accused the Centre of yielding to US pressure on issues including tariffs, agricultural market access and digital payments.

Kharge alleged that the reported changes concerning Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions represented another example of the government's alleged “meekness” in dealing with Washington.

The Congress leaders have linked the proposed UPI charges to wider concerns over India's trade and economic relationship with the US. The Centre's position on the proposed transaction fee and the allegations made by the Congress leaders remain part of the ongoing political debate.(ANI)