Rahul Gandhi Accuses PM Modi of Becoming Prime Minister with ‘Foreign Help’, Challenges Him to Open Debate

Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of coming to power with foreign assistance and challenged him to an open public debate.

Gandhi’s remarks came in response to Modi’s recent criticism of the Opposition, which he described as an “obstructionist side” rather than a constructive political force.

In a post on X, Gandhi shared a report of the Prime Minister’s comments and accused him of misleading the country.

“Mr Modi, stop lying to this nation. You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help,” Gandhi wrote.

He further alleged that India’s financial system was controlled and supported by foreign interests and that foreign social media platforms were backing the Prime Minister.

Issuing a direct challenge, Gandhi said he was ready to debate Modi publicly at any venue and at any time.

“Any stage, any time. Come if you have the guts,” he wrote, adding that the Prime Minister was unwilling to face him because he was allegedly afraid of what Gandhi knew about him.

The exchange followed Modi’s address on Saturday at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

During his speech, Modi criticised the Opposition’s approach to its parliamentary responsibilities, arguing that its role had shifted from opposing government policies to obstructing national development.

“In a democracy, the responsibility of the Opposition is to oppose government policies, but it is our misfortune that the Opposition (virodh paksh) has become an obstructionist side (avrodh paksh),” Modi said.

He accused opposition parties of creating obstacles to the country’s development out of frustration and disappointment, while also alleging that they were undermining the dignity and sanctity of the Constitution.

The remarks have triggered a fresh political exchange between the ruling BJP and the Congress, with Gandhi’s challenge adding to the ongoing confrontation between the government and the Opposition.