Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Nov 13: Repeating his challenge to the Prime Minster Narendra Modi for an open debate, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday stirred a massive controversy alleging that his phone was being tapped by Mr Modi.
However, the senior Congress leader did not provide any verifiable technical evidence to back his allegations though he claimed that he had proof in his possession to substantiate his charges.
Rahul made the remarks while responding to a question during a question-answer session on popular photo sharing app Instagram. “The proof is here, it is in this phone… The Prime Minister knows it because he taps my phone. The moment he comes for debate, one on one debate, everybody would know who is controlled by foreign powers, who is an anti-national, since when he has been anti-national and lots of other details that I know and are on my phone,” Rahul said when asked about proof that PM Modi is ‘controlled’ by foreign powers.
He made the allegation during an interactive ‘Ask Me’ session on Instagram, where he responded to questions from supporters and reiterated his demand for a direct public debate with the Prime Minister.
Rahul Gandhi has in past also alleged phone tapping claiming that he and many other politicians had their phones bugged with Pegasus to enable Central agencies to tap them. “I myself had Pegasus on my phone. Large number of politicians have Pegasus on their phones. I’ve been called by Intelligence officers who say please be careful of what you say on your phone as we are recording the stuff,” Gandhi had alleged in 2023. The allegations were refuted by the Centre.
Rahul, meanwhile, on Friday renewed his open debate dare to the Prime Minister. Since last week, he has challenged PM Modi on several occasions for an open debate on who is receiving assistance from foreign powers. He has claimed that he would proof during the debate that PM Modi is anti-national and receiving foreign aid.
Friday’s remarks marked the seventh time in 12 days that Gandhi had publicly challenged PM Modi to a debate. The Congress leader has repeatedly demanded an open discussion on issues including electoral processes, foreign influence and national security.
BJP leaders have repeatedly dismissed Gandhi’s debate challenges, accusing him of avoiding substantive debates in Parliament, with several leaders and ministers saying Rahul should debate in Parliament and should not confuse the people.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier questioned why Gandhi was asking the Prime Minister to choose a venue when Parliament was already available for discussion. The Janata Dal (United), a key member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has termed Rahul’s challenge as “ridiculous” and accused him of adopting a “hit and run” strategy.
“The BJP has already said he may debate whichever issue he wants on the Parliament floor. But when Parliament is in session, the leader of the opposition is seldom seen participating in a debate. He has been indulging in hit-and-run. He levels a charge and runs away. He must realise this is not a WWE wrestling match,” JD(U)’s working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said earlier this week.