Why Rahul Gandhi Said, 'PM Modi Won't Debate With Me...'

While addressing a public meeting in Lucknow on Friday, former Congress chief and Member of Parliament from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi accepted the challenge to have a public debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a neutral platform. Replying to a question that former judges have asked Congress and BJP's top leaders to clear their vision, future plans and allegation leveled at each other by having a public debate, Rahul Gandhi said he is 100% ready to talk with the Prime Minister on public issues.

However, he highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never do the same.

"I am 100% ready to debate with the Prime Minister on public issues on any platform," Gandhi asserted. "But I know him, he will 100% not debate with me."

Earlier, former Supreme Court judge Madan Lokur and former Delhi High Court Chief Justice AP Shah, urged the two leaders to engage in a public debate on a neutral platform devoid of commercial or partisan interests. They emphasized the absence of substantial responses amidst the flurry of allegations and challenges from both sides. In the era of digital proliferation where misinformation is rampant, they stressed the significance of such a debate in fostering an electorate equipped with the information necessary for making informed decisions at the polls.

"To this end, we believe that citizens would hugely benefit by hearing directly from our political leaders through a public debate on a non-partisan and non-commercial platform. It would be ideal if the public heard not just the questions of each side, but also the responses," the letter said.

"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," it added.

This is the first time that any leader has agreed to have a public debate on public issues.