- Sitharaman criticizes Rahul Gandhi's social media debate challenge.
- Urges Gandhi to debate PM Modi in Parliament as LoP.
- Accuses opposition of disrupting parliamentary proceedings frequently.
ECI-SIR Row: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday slammed senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his repeated debate challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a detailed post on X, Sitharaman suggested Gandhi use parliament to seek accountability from the government instead of challenging the prime minister on social media. She also accused the opposition of creating a ruckus during the parliament sessions. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi challenged PM Modi for a public debate over his allegation of involvement of foreign forces in the recent protests.
Sitharaman's Suggestion To Rahul
In her post, Sitharaman also pointed out that the opposition did accept Home Minister Amit Shah's invitation of a special session of parliament over the functioning of the Election Commission. She further stated that the INDIA bloc MPs walked out of parliament on numerous occasions while the government responded to their concerns.
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. Just yesterday, Home Minister Shri @AmitShah offered a special session to debate SIR and EVMs. Why not show the same enthusiasm for a debate in Parliament that you show while issuing challenges on social media? 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? It doesn’t stop at walkouts. You and the INDI Alliance have repeatedly disrupted proceedings, leading to entire sittings being washed out. If you are so keen on debating, why not allow Parliament to function in the first place? And then there’s the mock Parliament you recently held at the Congress President’s residence. Frankly, that was more a ‘mockery of Parliament’ than a ‘mock Parliament’. You found the time and enthusiasm for that exercise. Surely, the real Parliament deserves at least as much. You speak endlessly about protecting democracy and the Constitution. But that respect should also reflect in how you treat the institutions they have established. 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. As LoP, you are expected to show some seriousness and responsibility. 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.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 3, 2026
"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," Sitharaman wrote. "Just yesterday, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah offered a special session to debate SIR and EVMs. Why not show the same enthusiasm for a debate in Parliament that you show while issuing challenges on social media?" she asked.
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Rahul's Challenge To PM Modi
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi repeated his public debate offer to PM Modi over the "foreign links", further stating that the prime minister can even choose the venue and time. "It has been 24 hours, Modi ji. I have challenged you. You say that the Opposition is anti-national. Pick any stage, any venue, and debate me. Who is anti-national? Who has links with foreign forces, and what kind of connections are they?" Gandhi said in his video message.
"Do it as soon as possible. Don't be afraid," the Congress leader added. While citing an Indian Express report, the opposition has sought removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and a detailed probe into the poll rigging allegations.