Rahul Gandhi sharpens attack on PM in Punjab, renews open debate dare

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reiterated his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a face-to-face debate.

The Opposition leader also claimed that he could prove within five minutes that the Prime Minister was a 'desh-drohi' (traitor) and was being controlled by US President Donald Trump.

Addressing the Congress party's 'Insaaf Rally' in Sangrur, Gandhi said that PM Modi would not agree to sit across the table with him for a debate, adding that the PM could choose anyone as the judge and decide the venue for the discussion.


"Yesterday, I challenged Narendra Modi to a face-to-face debate. He can make anyone he wants the judge for this debate. I guarantee the nation that Narendra Modi cannot sit before me. I can guarantee that within five minutes of the debate starting, I will prove that Narendra Modi is a 'desh-drohi' and Donald Trump controls him," Gandhi said.

"Narendra Modi says that Congress members are traitors. So I directly challenged him, saying, 'Look Modi ji, you come here.' Come anywhere. Sit with me. Let's debate. There will be a table in the middle; you sit on one side, and I'll sit on the other. Whoever you want to be the judge, make them the judge. If you want to make Mohan Bhagwat the judge, do that. If you want to make Adani the judge, make him sit right in front of you. It doesn't matter," he added.

Gandhi further alleged that the PM Modi would not accept his debate challenge, claiming that he was not being allowed to speak freely in Parliament.

"All their leaders are saying that you should have a discussion in Parliament. Brother, you mute my mic in Parliament. You don't let me speak in Parliament," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Rahul Gandhi's remarks, saying that demanding answers also meant being willing to hear the government's response.

She accused the Opposition leader and his party of walking out of Parliament during discussions and questioned their commitment to parliamentary debate.

"Demanding answers also carries an obligation to hear them. There have been several occasions when you and your party have walked out of Parliament while the government was responding to your allegations. How do you claim to be so eager for a debate when you don't even stay to hear the other side?" she wrote in a post on X.