Union Minister Smriti Irani has raised questions about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s decision to accept an invitation for a debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on important election issues. Ms. Irani has questioned Mr. Gandhi’s ability to engage in a debate with someone of Prime Minister Modi’s stature, especially considering his reluctance to contest in his historical stronghold, Amethi.
Amethi has long been associated with the political legacy of the Gandhi family, with Mr. Gandhi representing the constituency since 2004 until his defeat in 2019. Interestingly, Mr. Gandhi recently filed his nomination papers from the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat, a constituency that has been held by his mother Sonia Gandhi for the past two decades.
In response to Mr. Gandhi’s challenge for a debate, Ms. Irani, who is the BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi, stated, “Firstly, a person who lacks the courage to contest against a regular BJP worker in his so-called fortress should refrain from boasting. Secondly, I would like to ask him if he considers himself a prime ministerial candidate of the INDI alliance, as he wants to sit on the same level as PM Modi and engage in a debate.”
Mr Gandhi expressed his approval of the suggestion for a public debate, showing enthusiasm for either himself or Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to take part. Mr Gandhi’s acknowledgment of the debate offer was in response to Justice (Retd) Madan B Lokur, Justice (Retd) Ajit P Shah, and journalist N Ram, who had proposed the debate in a non-partisan attempt to promote well-informed decision-making among the public.
Mr Gandhi disclosed that both he and Mr Kharge have concurred that a debate of this nature would assist individuals in comprehending “our respective visions and empower them to make an educated decision”.
“It is also crucial to dispel any baseless accusations linked to our respective parties. As the primary parties contesting the election, the public should hear directly from their leaders,” Gandhi stated in his letter in response to the invitation. “Therefore, either I or the Congress president would be happy to participate in such a debate.”