• By Vivek Raj
  • Sun, 12 May 2024 11:15 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Rahul Gandhi of the Congress on Saturday said he or party chief Mallikarjun Kharge would be pleased to participate in a public debate on the Lok Sabha elections and expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would also accept the invitation. However, the BJP swiftly countered Gandhi's proposal, questioning his legitimacy as the Congress's prime ministerial candidate.

Gandhi's invitation came after retired justices and a journalist proposed a non-partisan debate platform for major party leaders. He affirmed his readiness to participate, either himself or Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The BJP, however, dismissed Gandhi's proposal, highlighting his lack of official designation as the Congress's prime ministerial candidate.

"It would be a positive initiative for the major parties to present their vision to the country from one platform for a healthy democracy," Rahul Gandhi said in a post, adding that the nation expects Modi to participate in the debate.

ALSO READ: Weather Update: No Heatwave In Delhi NCR For Next Few Days; Rain, Hailstorm Alert In Himachal

Rahul Gandhi stated that he and Mallikarjun Kharge discussed the invitation and concurred that a debate would facilitate the public in understanding "our respective vision and enable them to make an informed choice".

"It is also critical to put to rest any unsubstantiated allegations attributed to our respective parties. As the principal parties fighting the election, the public deserve to hear from their leaders directly," Rahul Gandhi said in his letter while replying to the invitation.

"Please do let us know if and when the prime minister agrees to participate, following which we can discuss the details and format of the debate," he added.

BJP Reacts 

BJP leaders, including Tejasvi Surya and Jaiveer Shergill, criticised Gandhi's proposal, highlighting his track record and suggesting that he first establish himself as the Congress's PM candidate before challenging PM Modi to a debate.

“Who is Rahul Gandhi, that PM Modi should debate with him? Rahul Gandhi isn’t even the PM candidate of the Congress Party, let alone the INDI Alliance. Let him first get himself declared as Congress’s PM candidate, state he will take accountability for his party’s defeat, and then invite PM for a debate. Until then, we are ready to depute our BJYM spokespersons to take him on in any debate,” BJP MP Tejasvi Surya posted on X.

Former Congress leader and current BJP national spokesperson, Jaiveer Shergill, pointed out Gandhi's low attendance and participation in Parliament, questioning his credibility for a debate with PM Modi. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also criticised Gandhi's attempt to engage in a debate, questioning his relevance and suggesting that the Congress should focus on its own leadership rather than using PM Modi's brand for Rahul Gandhi's resurgence.

Debate is good. But why should anyone, let alone the sitting Prime Minister, debate Rahul Gandhi? He is neither the Congress President nor PM face of I.N.D.I Alliance. The Congress should stop using brand Modi to relaunch Rahul Gandhi,” Malviya wrote.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 4 Voting Tomorrow; Akhilesh, Mahua, Owaisi Among Heavyweights In Fray

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani, also weighed in, questioning Gandhi's courage to contest against a normal BJP worker in his constituency and implying that he lacked the credibility to engage in a debate with PM Modi.

“First, the person who does not have the courage to contest against a normal BJP worker in his so-called castle, should refrain from boasting. Second, who wants to sit at level with PM Modi and have a debate, I want to ask him if he is a PM candidate of the INDI alliance." Irani said.