Rahul Gandhi Challenges PM Modi to Debate Over 'Obstructionist Forces' Accusations

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday, November 2, challenged PM Narendra Modi to a debate. Sharing on X screenshots of Modi’s speech during the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebration at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat a day ago, where he said that “obstructionist forces were trying to destroy the country,” Gandhi said, “Mr Modi, stop lying to this nation.” He alleged, “You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help. Your financial system is fully controlled and supported by foreigners. Foreign social media fully backs you.” In his speech on Ekta Diwas, Modi had criticised the Opposition. Challenging the PM to an open debate, Gandhi offered to do so from any state, at any time; he told Modi to “come if you have the guts”. He wrapped up his post with, “You won’t dare, because you are terrified of what I know about you.” The Prime Minister said that the Opposition’s role in a democracy was to oppose government policies but it had become an obstructionist force instead. Modi alleged that certain forces were conspiring to divide the country and alleged support from abroad. From virodh paksh , the Opposition had become avrodh paksh (obstructionist force), he said. ANI quoted him as saying, “Driven by frustration and disappointment, these people are creating obstacles in the path of the country’s development. This is not Opposition; this is obstruction. They have made this their political agenda. They are engaged in undermining the dignity and sanctity of the Constitution.” He said, “Who is secretly meeting whom abroad? Whom are anti-India forces supporting? Who is speaking the language of India’s enemies? We must recognise all these patterns and confront them together.”