Sitharaman hits back at Rahul Gandhi over debate challenge, says Parliament is the right forum

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his renewed challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate, asking the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to raise his questions in Parliament instead of issuing challenges on social media.

In a post on X, Sitharaman said Parliament was already an appropriate venue for the debate Gandhi was seeking and questioned his commitment to discussions in the House, citing walkouts and disruptions by the Congress and the Opposition alliance.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi to open debate on foreign links, US trade deal and Epstein


"Rahul ji, you ask the Prime Minister to choose a venue for a debate. There is already one: Parliament, where you happen to be the LoP," she said.

The finance minister's remarks came after Gandhi reiterated his challenge to PM Modi for a public debate on the Centre's handling of the US trade deal, the Adani case and alleged foreign connections.

Rahul Gandhi had asked the prime minister to respond to allegations that the Opposition had links with foreign forces, proposing that the discussion be held at any venue in the presence of the media and the country's youth.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi debate: RaGa asks public if they want open face-off

Sitharaman questions Opposition's conduct in Parliament

Sitharaman said Home Minister Amit Shah had offered a special session of Parliament to debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and electronic voting machines (EVMs), asking why Gandhi was not showing similar enthusiasm for a debate in the House.

"Demanding answers also carries an obligation to hear them," she said, alleging that Gandhi and his party had walked out of Parliament on several occasions while the government was responding to their allegations.

She also accused the Congress and the INDIA bloc of repeatedly disrupting proceedings, resulting in entire sittings being washed out.

The finance minister further criticised a mock Parliament recently held by the Congress at party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence, saying the exercise was more a "mockery of Parliament" than a mock Parliament.

Sitharaman said Gandhi's stated commitment to protecting democracy and the Constitution should also be reflected in his conduct towards the institutions established under them.

Responding to allegations, Sitharaman asked him to substantiate his claims with specific allegations and evidence, saying a long list of accusations did not strengthen his case.

"As for the issues you frivolously raise, bring specific allegations and evidence to back them up. Simply throwing together a long list of accusations doesn't make your case any stronger," she said.

The finance minister urged Gandhi to bring the facts before Parliament, face scrutiny and remain present to hear the government's response.

"You say, 'Daro mat.' Then bring the facts, face the scrutiny and stay to hear the answers. In the House, uphold the standards of debate you demand from others," Sitharaman said.

Also read: 'Top-level debates held between mature people': Rijiju takes dig at Rahul Gandhi's challenge to PM Modi

Rahul Gandhi raises questions over US trade deal, Adani case

Earlier on Tuesday, Gandhi had said 24 hours had passed since he challenged Modi to agree to a public debate and urged the prime minister to choose a venue.

"Who is the anti-national? Who has connections with foreign forces? And what kind of connections are they? Do it as soon as possible—don't be afraid," Gandhi wrote in his post on X.

The Congress leader proposed that the two leaders sit across a table with the media and young people present, and suggested that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could act as the judge.

Listing the issues he wanted discussed, Gandhi questioned the financial system, the circumstances surrounding the US trade deal and the speed at which it was concluded.

He also asked why the agreement was finalised without informing the Cabinet and raised questions about the Adani case and the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.

"There are so many things like that on which we'll have an open discussion," Gandhi said, urging Modi to participate in the proposed debate.

Gandhi also referred to the defamation cases filed against him, claiming that he faced around 45 cases over other matters. He challenged the prime minister to initiate legal proceedings over his remarks on alleged foreign connections if the allegations were considered false.

"Go ahead, file one—we'll discuss that openly too. Let's discuss all of this, come on," he said.