New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-on-one public debate, claiming that Modi would not remain in office after an exchange between the two.
During an ‘Ask Me’ session on Instagram, Gandhi was asked why he continued to demand a public debate when the BJP had suggested that the discussion could take place in Parliament.
Responding to the question, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said he was not being allowed to speak in the House and alleged that his microphone had been switched off.
“You did not let me talk on the farm bills, vote chori, SIR, China, on (Gen) Naravane’s book, Epstein. I want a one-on-one debate. I don’t want a debate entailing long speeches,” Gandhi said.
He proposed a direct exchange in which both leaders could make allegations against each other rather than deliver lengthy speeches.
“I want that Narendra Modi makes allegations against me and I do the same to him. He can come; there will be a table, on one side there will be Narendra Modi ji and on the other side, it would be me,” he said.
Gandhi also said he would have no objection if Gautam Adani, chairperson of the Adani Group, or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was appointed as the judge for the proposed debate.
“I guarantee that the prime minister will not remain the PM after a one-on-one debate with me,” he added.
BJP Leaders Ask Rahul Gandhi To Debate In Parliament
Gandhi has repeatedly challenged Modi to an open debate. On an earlier occasion, he had claimed that it would take him five minutes to establish that the prime minister was a “traitor”.
BJP leaders have dismissed the challenge and accused Gandhi of avoiding debates in Parliament.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that Parliament already provided a platform for debate and urged Gandhi to show “some seriousness and responsibility” in his role as Leader of the Opposition.
The latest exchange comes amid the continuing political disagreement over whether the two leaders should hold a separate public debate or engage through parliamentary proceedings.
