NEW DELHI, November 2 — Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate over allegations of foreign interference in Indian politics, accusing the Prime Minister of benefiting from foreign support to come to power and remain in office.
Responding to Modi's recent remarks targeting opposition parties over alleged links with foreign forces, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of making false claims and said he was ready to debate the issue on any platform and at any time.
In a post on X, Gandhi alleged that Modi became Prime Minister with foreign assistance and continued to remain in office because of such support. He also claimed that the country's financial system was controlled and supported by foreign interests and that foreign social media platforms backed the Prime Minister.
"I challenge you to an open debate about this. Any stage, any time," Gandhi said, challenging Modi to respond to his allegations.
Gandhi's remarks came after Modi, addressing an event in Gujarat on Saturday during the celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, accused certain forces of attempting to destabilise the country by spreading rumours and creating divisions.
The Prime Minister criticised the opposition, describing it as an obstructionist force rather than a constructive political alternative. He alleged that some groups were undermining constitutional norms and working against the country's development.
In an apparent reference to opposition leaders' overseas engagements, Modi questioned who was meeting whom abroad, which anti-India forces were supporting particular individuals and who was echoing the positions of India's adversaries.
He also warned against the misuse of social media platforms to spread misinformation and damage India's image.
The exchange marks a fresh escalation in the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over allegations of foreign influence, national security and the role of opposition parties.
Neither leader presented detailed evidence in the statements cited to substantiate the allegations of foreign backing made against the other.
