New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate over allegations of foreign influence, asking him to choose the venue, date and even the person who would oversee the discussion.
A day after issuing the challenge, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha posted a fresh video on X with the message, “Daro mat” (Don’t be afraid).
Rahul said 24 hours had passed since he first invited the Prime Minister to debate him. He suggested that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could act as the judge, with members of the media and young people present as both leaders sat across a table.
What Did Rahul Gandhi Challenge PM Modi To Debate?
In his video, Rahul accused the BJP of branding the Opposition anti-national and asked Modi to discuss allegations concerning foreign links in an open forum.
“You say the Opposition is anti-national. Choose any stage, any venue and debate me. Who is anti-national? Who has connections with foreign forces? And what is the nature of those connections?” Rahul said.
He proposed that the discussion cover several contentious issues, including India’s financial system, the negotiations surrounding the US deal, the speed at which it was finalised and why the Cabinet was allegedly not informed.
Rahul also raised questions about the closure of the Adani case and referred to the Epstein issue as subjects he wanted discussed.
“Both of us will be there. The media will be there. The youth of this country will be there. You sit on one side, I will sit on the other,” he said.
Why Are Rahul Gandhi And BJP Clashing Over Foreign Links?
The latest challenge comes amid an escalating political exchange between the Congress and the BJP over allegations of foreign influence.
Rahul had previously accused Modi of becoming Prime Minister and continuing in office with the support of foreign forces. The BJP has pushed back against the allegations.
During a visit to Gujarat on Saturday, Modi, without naming Rahul, accused forces within the country of spreading lies and rumours to create instability.
Rahul’s latest video seeks to bring the competing allegations and the questions he has raised into a proposed public debate. There has been no confirmation in the supplied account that the Prime Minister has accepted the invitation.
