'If and when PM Modi....", Rahul Gandhi responds to public debate invitation

Responding to a question from a member of the audience at a Lucknow event on May 10, the Congress leader stated he was "100 percent" prepared to take on the Prime Minister in a debate, adding that he knew the PM would not agree.

Praising the proposal for a public debate on the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on May 11, expressed readiness for himself or party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to participate.

He also expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would join the discussion, stating it would be a positive step for major parties to present their visions on one platform for a healthy democracy.

The Congress leader took to microblogging site X, saying in Hindi, "It would be a positive initiative for the major parties to present their vision to the country from one platform for a healthy democracy".

स्वस्थ लोकतंत्र के लिए प्रमुख दलों का एक मंच से अपना विज़न देश के समक्ष रखना एक सकारात्मक पहल होगी।

कांग्रेस इस पहल का स्वागत करती है और चर्चा का निमंत्रण स्वीकार करती है।

देश प्रधानमंत्री जी से भी इस संवाद में हिस्सा लेने की अपेक्षा करता है। pic.twitter.com/YMWWqzBRhE

Related stories

• 
  EC releases Lok Sabha election data: 'Women voters outshine male participation'
• 
  India among few to retain the PM, as power changed hands in most countries in 2024
• 
  Paper leaks, jobs, infighting: The big challenges plaguing UP CM Yogi's 2nd term

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 11, 2024

Gandhi shared his response to Justice (Retd) Madan B Lokur, Justice (Retd) Ajit P Shah, and N Ram on X, wherein he discussed the invitation with Kharge. They both agreed that such a debate would enable voters to understand their visions and make informed choices.

Emphasising the importance of dispelling any unfounded allegations, Gandhi asserted that as principal parties in the election, the public deserves to hear directly from their leaders.

"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 wrote.

Gandhi welcomed the initiative, stating that Congress accepts the invitation for discussion, and stressed the country's expectation for the prime minister's participation.

"Congress welcomes this initiative and accepts the invitation for discussion. The country also expects the prime minister to take part in this dialogue", he wrote on the microblogging platform.

Responding to a question from a member of the audience at a Lucknow event on May 10, the Congress leader stated he was "100 percent" prepared to take on the Prime Minister in a debate, adding that he knew the PM would not agree.