Congress Accepts Invitation for Public Debate with Prime Minister Modi
On Saturday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi formally accepted the invitation extended by former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur, former High Court Chief Justice AP Shah, and senior journalist N Ram for a public debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on key issues of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The invitation, dated May 9th, highlighted the allegations and counter-allegations between the two leaders and expressed the belief that citizens would benefit from hearing directly from them.
In his response, Gandhi stated that either himself or Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge would participate in the debate, acknowledging its importance in providing voters with a clear understanding of their respective visions. He emphasized the need to address unsubstantiated allegations and provide the public with an informed basis for their choice.
BJP's Response
The Congress's acceptance of the invitation was met with skepticism from BJP leaders. Tejasvi Surya questioned Gandhi's standing within the party and the Opposition bloc, suggesting that he should first secure his nomination as Congress's Prime Ministerial candidate. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai criticized Gandhi for declining a similar debate challenge in 2017.
Debate Details
Rahul Gandhi indicated that the details and format of the debate could be discussed if and when Prime Minister Modi accepts the invitation. The invitation has generated significant interest, with many political analysts and commentators viewing it as a potential turning point in the upcoming election campaign.
