Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday stepped up his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a public debate, alleging that evidence supporting his accusations against PM Modi was stored on his phone, which he claimed was being tapped by the prime minister, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Gandhi also claimed that a one-on-one debate with him would end Modi's political career. BJP leaders have dismissed the challenge and accused Gandhi of avoiding debates in Parliament.During an 'Ask Me' session on Instagram, Gandhi was asked why he was insisting on a public debate when the BJP had said such an exchange could take place in Parliament.
He replied that he was not allowed to speak in the House and that his microphone had even been switched off, according to PTI."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," the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. "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 will be me," Gandhi said.He said he would have no objection if Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was appointed as the judge for the debate. "But I guarantee that the prime minister will not remain the PM after a one-on-one debate with me," Gandhi said.Answering another question, Gandhi said proof of all his allegations was on his phone, "which is tapped by the prime minister".
He alleged that a one-on-one debate would establish who was controlled by foreign powers and who was an "anti-national", adding that his phone contained details about these matters.In a video posted on X, Gandhi said, "The prime minister's political career will be over if he comes and debates with me; he knows that and I know that.""He keeps calling me anti-national. I want to show the nation exactly who is anti-national, exactly who is controlled by whom and since when, and he knows the truth of that," Gandhi said.He further claimed that Modi was no longer attacking him because he was under pressure. "Notice something: there is a little fear in his (Modi's) mind because he is no longer commenting about me; he is no longer attacking me; he is being very, very careful.
There is a reason for it, guys," he said.In a Hindi post, Gandhi said, "Modi ji, even at your own godi media's Diwali gathering, you used a teleprompter? The people are yours, the stage is yours, the whole environment is yours, yet you still need a script.
Looks like the pressure got to you.""Anyway, no worries. Bring a teleprompter to a debate with me too, and seat a judge of your choice as well.
Just show up, that's all. The country wants to know — who is the real traitor?" Gandhi said.The former Congress president has repeatedly challenged Modi to an open debate and had earlier claimed that he would take five minutes to establish that the prime minister was a "traitor".BJP leaders have rejected Gandhi's challenge, alleging that he has been avoiding debates in Parliament.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said Parliament already provides a venue for debate and called on Gandhi to show "some seriousness and responsibility" as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.Gandhi has maintained his demand for a one-on-one public debate with Modi, while the BJP has said he should participate in debates in Parliament.- Ends