NEW DELHI — Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate on November 2, 2026, alleging that Modi became and remains Prime Minister with "foreign help."
The challenge came one day after Modi addressed a gathering in Gujarat, where he criticized opposition parties as a "destructive force" rather than a legitimate opposition and alleged that obstructionist forces were trying to divide the country with foreign support.
"Mr. Modi, stop lying to this nation. You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help. Your financial system is fully controlled and supported by foreigners. Foreign social media fully backs you," Gandhi said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"I challenge you to an open debate about this. Any stage, any time. Come if you have the guts. You won’t dare, because you are terrified of what I know about you," he added.
Gandhi shared a screenshot of Modi’s October 31 speech in which the Prime Minister said the opposition had turned into an "avrodh paksh" (destructive force) and was standing as an obstacle in the way of the country’s development.
The Bharatiya Janata Party responded on November 3, 2026, with spokesperson C R Kesavan calling Gandhi a "lousy con artist" and questioning his foreign visits. Kesavan alleged that the Congress leader sought foreign interference in India's internal affairs and raised questions about alleged links between Congress leaders and organizations associated with billionaire George Soros, including Sonia Gandhi's purported association with the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific.
Kesavan also referred to Gandhi's 2023 speech in London, alleging he appealed for foreign intervention ahead of the Lok Sabha elections by saying, "It is not just an Indian battle." The exchange underscores escalating tensions between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the role of external actors in Indian politics.
