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 the
PM would not remain in office after facing him in a direct exchange. During an 'Ask Me' session on Instagram, Gandhi was asked why he continued to demand a public debate when the BJP had said that such an exchange could take place in Parliament. Responding to the question, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said he was not allowed to speak freely 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. Explaining how he wanted the debate to take place, Gandhi said he wanted both leaders to directly question and challenge 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, chairman of the Adani Group, or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat was chosen to judge the debate. "But I guarantee that the prime minister will not remain the PM after a one-on-one debate with me," Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi's Previous Challenges To PM Modi
Gandhi has repeatedly challenged Prime Minister Modi to participate in an open debate. On an earlier occasion, he had claimed that he would need just five minutes to establish that the prime minister was a "traitor".
The BJP has dismissed Gandhi's repeated challenges, with party leaders accusing him of avoiding debates in Parliament.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier responded to Gandhi's demand by pointing out that Parliament was already an available platform for such a debate.
She said that while Gandhi was asking the prime minister to choose a venue, he should show "some seriousness and responsibility" as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
