Rahul Gandhi challenges PM Modi for a 20-minute debate on corruption

Addressing the media after a rally in Amethi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a 20-minute debate on the issue of corruption, particularly the Rafale jet deal. He said that Modi won't be able to show his face to the people of the country after a debate with me.

Amethi (Uttar Pradesh): Launching a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday challenged him for a 20-minute debate on the issue of corruption, particularly the Rafale jet deal.

"PM Modi talks a lot about corruption, I challenge you (Narendra Modi), lets debate on corruption, come on, wherever you want, if you call to the Racecourse road (official residence of PM), I will go there, if you call me to your office, I will be there. I dare you, debate with me for 20 minutes on corruption, " said Gandhi while interacting with the media after holding a rally in Amethi, one of his parliamentary constituencies.

Referring to the faces that Modi was making while Gandhi was raking up the Rafale deal issue in the last parliament session, the Congress president said, "If he agrees to a debate with me, I can guarantee you that Narendra Modi won't be able to show his face to the people of the country, forget about making faces that he was making during the parliament session."

He further added, "the truth is that, as soon as Congress comes to power, we will expose the Rafale scam."

Rahul Gandhi has been riding the corruption wave and frequently challenging Modi over a debate on the same.

Modi has often been criticised for shying away from holding a press conference and giving interviews to only selective media houses.

Earlier, Gandhi had also tweeted saying, "Dear PM, scared of debating me on corruption? I can make it easier for you. Let's go open book, so you can prepare: 1. RAFALE+Anil Ambani, 2. Nirav Modi, 3. Amit Shah+Demonetisation."

The three-time MP from Amethi will take on Union Minister and BJP nominee Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha election in virtually a direct contest as the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in Uttar Pradesh has decided not to field a candidate from the seat.