RaGa: Modi 'won't remain PM' after debate with me

Agencies 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 such an exchange. Gandhi said he wanted a direct confrontation rather than lengthy speeches and suggested that industrialist Gautam Adani or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could even be appointed to judge the debate. Responding to a question during an 'Ask Me' session on Instagram about why he was demanding a public debate when the BJP had suggested that Parliament was the appropriate forum, Gandhi said he was not being allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha . He alleged that his microphone had been switched off in the House and listed several issues on which he claimed he had been prevented from raising questions. "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. Live Events Gandhi proposes direct exchange, names Adani and Bhagwat as possible judges Explaining the format he had in mind, Gandhi said both leaders should be allowed to make allegations against each other in a face-to-face exchange, without 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 added that he would be comfortable with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat serving as the judge for the proposed debate. "But I guarantee that the prime minister will not remain the PM after a one-on-one debate with me," he said. BJP leaders reject challenge, ask Rahul Gandhi to debate in Parliament The Congress leader has repeatedly called on Modi to participate in an open debate. In an earlier challenge, Gandhi had claimed that he would need only five minutes to establish that the prime minister was a "traitor". BJP leaders have dismissed his demands, accusing him of avoiding debates in Parliament rather than taking up the opportunity to question the government on the floor of the House. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also questioned Gandhi's insistence on an alternative venue, pointing out that Parliament already provides a platform for debate. She urged the Congress leader to demonstrate "some seriousness and responsibility" in his capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ) Read More News on Rahul Gandhi PM Modi public debate BJP Lok Sabha Gautam Adani Mohan Bhagwat debate challenge Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel ) Read More News on Rahul Gandhi PM Modi public debate BJP Lok Sabha Gautam Adani Mohan Bhagwat debate challenge Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Prime Exclusives Investment Ideas Stock Report Plus ePaper Wealth Edition How India’s INR22.5 lakh crore gold loan boom is hiding a big hole Business of Odd Things: The farm that needs no land, freshwater, or fertiliser KYC and KYB: Inside Pidilite, the company that turned Fevicol into a word for a strong bond – Part 1 of 3 Seoul halts trading, Nifty has its best week since 2021: Money leaving the AI trade – will it land in India? Junk bonds are cracking at the bottom. Will the noise get loud enough to make ‘junk bond’ a household term again? PNG connections rise half a million, but how many use piped gas for cooking? 1 2 3 View all Stories