India's Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani has questioned Congress Party parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi’s ability to debate Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The federal minister made her statement after the Congress parliamentarian accepted an invitation for a public debate with Modi over crucial election issues.
His acceptance came in response to Justice (Retd) Madan B Lokur, Justice (Retd) Ajit P Shah, and journalist N Ram extending the invitation in a non-partisan effort to foster informed decision-making among citizens.
However, Irani was quick to take aim at Gandhi, claiming he is not ready for such a debate.
“Firstly, a person who does not have the courage to contest against a normal BJP worker in his so-called castle should refrain from boasting. Secondly, who wants to sit at level with PM Modi and have a debate, I want to ask him if is he a PM candidate of the INDI alliance?” Irani said.
Several other BJP members have questioned Gandhi scion’s eligibility to hold a debate with the prime minister and equally asked in what capacity he will debate, as he is neither Congress Party president, leader of the opposition nor a prime ministerial candidate for the opposition bloc.