‘If And When PM Agrees…’: Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi On Invitation For Debate Amid Lok Sabha Elections

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stated that he spoke with Kharge about the invitation, and they both agreed to debate stating that people would be able to understand our vision and enable them to make an informed choice.

A file photo of congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Source : PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday expressed his willingness to engage in the proposal for an open dibate concerning the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday. He stated that either himself or the Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge would gladly participate and hoped that PM Narendra Modi would also join. 

मोदी जी, आइये बिना टेलीप्रॉम्पटर के बात की जाए। https://t.co/2CfAuCLiLn

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 11, 2024

"It would be a positive initiative for the major parties to present their vision to the country from one platform for a healthy democracy," Gandhi said in his post on X. He also continued saying that the country expects Modi to take part in the debate.

Gandhi stated, "Congress welcomes this initiative and accepts the invitation for discussion," in his post on X accompanying the letter. The nation anticipates that the prime minister will participate in this discussion as well." In response to a query from an audience member at a Lucknow event on Friday, Gandhi stated he was "100%" ready to debate Modi and added that he was certain the prime minister would not concur.

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

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 11, 2024

Retd Judges Invite PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi For Debate On Lok Sabha Polls

The Congress leader responded on X to Justice (Retd) Madan B Lokur, Justice (Retd) Ajit P Shah, and N Ram, who wrote to him and the PM earlier this week, for the invitation to a platform for a debate on the important election issues.

The three had written to the nation's leaders, claiming that the debate's proposal was bipartisan and in the best interests of all citizens.

"A public debate such as this would, therefore, set a great precedent, not just by educating the public, but also in projecting the true image of a healthy and vibrant democracy," the letter said.

They requested PM Modi and Rahul Gandhi to nominate a representative for the debate if either of them is unavailable to participate.

As per PTI, Gandhi stated that he spoke with Kharge about the invitation, and they both agreed that people would be better able to understand "our respective vision and enable them to make an informed choice" through such a debate.

"It is also critical to put to rest any unsubstantiated allegations attributed to our respective parties. As the principal parties fighting the election, the public deserve to hear from their leaders directly," Gandhi said in his letter responding to the invitation.

"Accordingly, either myself or the Congress president would be pleased to participate in such a debate," he added.

The former head of Congress added that he was looking forward to taking part in a historic and productive debate. "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 further added.