Lok Sabha elections 2024: 'I'm sure he won't come,' Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Narendra Modi to debate

Rahul Gandhi; (right) Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI

Amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi again over public debate and claimed that he is ready but the PM will disagree, adding that PM Modi is incapable of answering questions about his "links" with a few favoured businessmen and how he "misused" electoral bonds, reported news agency ANI.

"He (PM Narendra Modi) gave 30-35 interviews to the same 5-10 journalists. 2-3 intellectuals and journalists wrote to me and made public announcements. They also wrote to Narendra Modi and said that there should be a debate in democracy, it is essential; that he should have debate with Rahul Gandhi...I am ready, Narendra Modi can have a debate with me wherever he wants. What do you think, will he come to have a debate with me? No, he can't...Narendra Modi can't have a debate," Rahul Gandhi said addressing a Lok Sabha elections 2024 rally in Delhi, reported ANI.

Mentioning the question the Congress leader will ask the Prime Minister, and said that, "What is your relationship with Adani? Why are you running a 'fundraising business' in the name of electoral bonds? Why did you bring black laws against the farmers? When people were dying due to Corona, why did you ask them to ring the plates? You made Xi Jinping swing on a swing, then how did his army capture the land of India? Why did you bring the Agniveer scheme?"

Referring to PM Modi's recent claim that Congress gets money Adani-Ambani in tempos, Rahul said, "PM Modi talks about Congress getting tempo-loads of money from Adani-Ambani, but he doesn't dare to get it probed."

He further said that PM Modi did nothing for small businessmen but gave Rs 16 lakh crore to industrialists like Adani-Ambani.

"Tell me whatever you want Narendra Modi to say, I will make him say that in his speeches. I told him, "Narendra Modi, you don't mention the names of Adani-Ambani. You should mention their names." 2-3 days later, Narendra Modi said "Adani-Ambani, Adani-Ambani," he said, reported ANI.

Reacting to several opposition leaders joining BJP "fearing CBI-ED action", Rahul said, "We don't want 'darpok' leaders to stay with us, only want 'Babbar Sher'."

"Kejriwal ji and Hemant Soren ji were put in jail. There is a list of Congress leaders too...One more person has been arrested from Delhi...Our fight is to save the Constitution. Our goal is to protect this Constitution. That's why we don't need people who get scared... we need 'Babar Sher' like you. If this (Constitution) goes away - which the BJP and PM Modi want...So, the first work is to safeguard this Constitution because this is your future, your dream and the voice of your heart," he added, reported ANI.

Rahul Gandhi further said that one woman from each of these families will be selected and Rs 1 lakh per annum will be deposited in the account of that woman by the INDIA Alliance, reported ANI.

"A list of the poor people of India will be prepared...One woman from each of these families will be selected and Rs 1 Lakh per annum will be deposited in the account of that woman by the INDIA Alliance. Rs 8000 per month thaka thak, thaka thak, thaka thak. I used 'thaka thak' in my speech. Narendra Modi has now started using 'thaka thak, phata phat' in all his speeches. Tell me whatever you want him to say, I will make him say it," he said.

Mentioning PM Modi's interview claim that food was not cooked in our house on the day of Eid and food used to come to my place from all the Muslim families, Rahul Gandhi said that this is a new PM because he knows he is on his way out, reported ANI.

"Earlier, he would spread hatred and pit one community against another; a few days ago, some journalists interviewed him, and Narendra Modi said that when he was a kid, Muslim neighbours would send food to his home on Eid. Ok. But Narendra Modiji you are a vegetarian. This means you are not a vegetarian. You tell the whole country that you are vegetarian, but when you were a kid, Muslims would get food for you on Eid. This is a new Narendra Modi because he knows he is on his way out," he said, reported ANI.

Referring to the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat when he was the Chief Minister of the state, PM Modi in an interview with News18 said that his opponents "tarnished" his image among the Muslims after 2002 (the Godhra riots).

"This issue is not about Muslims. Irrespective of how supportive individual Muslims are of Modi, there is a wave of thought that dictates to them, 'do this, do that'. In my house, there are all Muslim families around me. Eid was also celebrated in our house, and there were other festivals in our house. Food was not cooked in our house on the day of Eid. Food used to come to my place from all the Muslim families. When Muharram started, we needed to come out from under the Tajiya, we were taught. I grew up in that world. Even today, many of my friends are Muslims. After 2002 (Godhra), my image was tarnished," PM Modi said.

Voting in Delhi for all seven Lok Sabha seats will be held in a single phase on May 25. BJP's Manoj Tiwari is in the electoral fray against Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar in the North East Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

(With inputs from ANI)