Rahul Gandhi dares Narendra Modi to one-on-one debate, says PM does not have the guts

During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi cited an audio clip in which a Goa cabinet minister is purportedly quoting Parrikar as claiming that he has the Rafale deal file, Gandhi said there might be many such "tapes".

Gandhi took on Twitter and tweeted "Happy Birthday to our PM, Narendra Modi ji! Wishing him good health and happiness always. @narendramodi,". (FILE: AFP/ File Image)

New Delhi: After sparks flew between the Congress and the Centre in the Lok Sabha, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday during a press conference further alleged that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is "blackmailing" Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the former Union defence minister claims that he has the entire Rafale deal file "in his bedroom." Rahul Gandhi also challenged Modi for a one on one debate. He said "I would very much like to debate Prime Minister Modi one-on-one on Rafale deal. But he does not have the guts."

I would very much like to debate Prime Minister Modi one-on-one on Rafale deal. But he does not have the guts: Congress President @RahulGandhi #IndiaDemandsJPC pic.twitter.com/78MahPxc3z

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 2, 2019

During a press conference, he cited an audio clip in which a Goa cabinet minister is purportedly quoting Parrikar as claiming that he has the Rafale deal file, Gandhi said there might be many such "tapes". "The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikar ji said in a cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on Rafale deal with all details and therefore, he can't be disturbed. There may be other such audio tapes," said the Congress chief, who attacked the Modi government on the deal in Lok Sabha earlier. The Congress along with other opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Rs 58,000 crore deal. "What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. Question is what information is there in Parrikar's bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi," Gandhi alleged.