Rahul escalates open debate challenge to PM Modi; launches X poll with 'Daro Mat, Dar Gaye' jibe

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday intensified his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open debate, launching a poll on social media platform X and taking a swipe at the Prime Minister with the phrases "Daro Mat" and "Dar Gaye".

The Congress leader asked young Indians whether they wanted to witness a face-to-face debate between him and Modi, while urging senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to persuade the Prime Minister to accept the challenge.

In his post on X, Gandhi asked, "Youth of India, Do you want to see a Rahul Gandhi vs Narendra Modi open debate?"

The poll offered two options: "Yes – Modi Ji, Daro Mat" and "No – Modi Ji, Dar Gaye", both framed as political jibes directed at the Prime Minister.

Gandhi also tagged Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, asking them to convince Modi to participate.

𝗥𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲

The social media poll came hours after Gandhi renewed his challenge to Modi, saying 24 hours had passed since he first proposed a public debate over allegations of foreign influence and the political conduct of the government and Opposition.

In a video posted on X, Gandhi challenged the Prime Minister to choose any stage or venue for a discussion on allegations concerning foreign connections.

He questioned who had links with foreign forces and called for the allegations to be examined openly before the public.

Gandhi proposed that the debate take place in the presence of journalists and young people, with both leaders seated across a table.

He also offered to allow Modi to select the moderator, suggesting that even Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat could preside over the discussion.

𝗨𝗦 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹, 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱

The Congress leader said the proposed debate should cover India's financial system, allegations of foreign influence, the circumstances surrounding a deal with the United States and questions about the Cabinet's involvement in major decisions.

He also sought discussions on the Adani case and matters related to Jeffrey Epstein, without presenting substantiated evidence for his broader allegations against the Prime Minister.

Gandhi further challenged Modi to initiate defamation proceedings against him over his allegations concerning foreign connections.

He claimed that several defamation cases had already been filed against him over other matters and questioned why no similar action had been taken over his latest accusations.

The Congress leader maintained that an open debate would provide an opportunity for both sides to address their allegations publicly.

𝗥𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀

The confrontation followed Modi's remarks during Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, where he criticised the Opposition for allegedly obstructing the country's development.

The Prime Minister accused opposition parties of becoming an "Avrodh Paksh", or obstructionist force, rather than fulfilling their responsibility as a constructive Opposition.

He also warned about forces allegedly attempting to create instability, spread misinformation and damage India's international reputation.

In a veiled reference to foreign connections, Modi questioned who was meeting whom abroad and whether anti-India forces were supporting certain political actors.

Responding to those remarks on Monday, Gandhi alleged that Modi had become Prime Minister with foreign assistance and continued to receive foreign support.

The allegations have not been independently established.

𝗕𝗝𝗣 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸

The BJP rejected Gandhi's accusations, with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticising the Congress leader over his claims concerning foreign assistance.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also responded to the debate challenge, maintaining that the government was prepared to discuss issues in Parliament and asking Gandhi to participate in parliamentary debates.

The exchange has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling BJP and Congress over foreign influence, government accountability and the role of the Opposition.

Gandhi's latest X poll represents an attempt to take the confrontation beyond parliamentary exchanges and directly involve social media users in his demand for a public debate.

There was no confirmed agreement from the Prime Minister to participate in the proposed face-to-face discussion as of Tuesday evening.