Rahul Gandhi targets media, challenges Modi to open debate
He claimed during the discussion that Modi would not remain Prime Minister after such a debate.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has created a stir in the slightly cooling weather by posing several clear and pointed questions to Prime Minister Modi recently. During an 'Ask Me' interactive session on Instagram today, Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Modi to sit face-to-face for a public debate. He claimed during this conversation that after such a debate, Prime Minister Modi would not be able to remain in his position. In a video shared by the Congress party on X, Rahul Gandhi also alleged that the Prime Minister is tapping his phone. However, these allegations are yet to be investigated, and if true, this matter is very serious and should be examined.
In another video shared by Rahul Gandhi on X, he questioned the Prime Minister's alleged use of a teleprompter during the Bharatiya Janata Party's Diwali Milan event. In this video, he is seen sarcastically asking why Modi needs a script to speak even among familiar faces on a stage and journalists he himself invited. He then linked this to his debate challenge, stating that if the Prime Minister wishes, he can bring a teleprompter to the debate and choose a moderator of his liking. During this event on November 12, Prime Minister Modi reminisced about his old relationships with journalists and shared memories of a time when he used to arrange chairs for journalists at such events.
This comment made during the Diwali Milan is a recurring demand from Rahul Gandhi that the Prime Minister move beyond prepared speeches and directly answer questions. In today's Instagram session, he also suggested a format where both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition sit on either side of a table, ask each other questions, and provide direct answers instead of lengthy speeches. Rahul Gandhi stated that he would have no objection if Gautam Adani or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat were appointed as moderators.
In a video related to phone tapping released by Congress, Rahul Gandhi stated that evidence related to his allegations is on his phone, and the Prime Minister is aware of it because, according to him, his phone is being tapped. Rahul also claimed that a face-to-face debate would reveal the truth behind allegations of foreign influence in the movements opposing the government's policies.
When asked on Instagram why he is insisting on a debate outside Parliament, Rahul said that he is often not allowed to speak on various issues in the House and that his microphone is turned off. He mentioned the agricultural laws, the special intensive revision of voter lists, i.e., SIR, China, and former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane's book.
A few weeks ago, during an event in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, Modi accused the opposition of obstructing development and stated that forces trying to divide the country and secret meetings abroad should be monitored. At that time, Rahul Gandhi retaliated on X, alleging that Prime Minister Modi received foreign assistance to reach and remain in power. In the same post, he also challenged the Prime Minister to an open debate on any platform.
On this matter, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the platform for debate already exists in Parliament, and the Leader of the Opposition should present solid evidence to support his allegations there. Earlier, Amit Shah had also suggested that Rahul Gandhi write to the Prime Minister. He also expressed readiness to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the revision of voter lists. Shah also raised questions about the purpose of Rahul's visit to Vietnam and the meetings held there. Rahul Gandhi's demand is for a direct public question-and-answer session with the Prime Minister.
So far, there has been no agreement between both sides on the platform for debate. The allegations of phone tapping and foreign funding are serious and should be investigated, and all facts should be presented to the citizens of the country. However, it remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister accepts the invitation for a public debate in the coming days.