Rekha Gupta Challenges Rahul Gandhi to Debate in Parliament, Invokes Emergency and 1984 Riots

In a post on X, Gupta urged Gandhi to come to Parliament and take up the challenge, while criticising the Congress over its political legacy. She referred to the Emergency imposed in 1975 and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi.

Gupta accused the Congress leadership of undermining democratic institutions during the Emergency, when opposition leaders were jailed and press freedoms were curtailed. She also held the party responsible for its record during the 1984 violence, which took place when Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister.

The Delhi Chief Minister further referred to the BJP's electoral victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, suggesting that another term for the party would be a major setback for the Congress.

Rahul Gandhi's Challenge to PM Modi

Gupta's remarks came after Gandhi called for a public debate with Prime Minister Modi, asking him to choose any venue to discuss allegations concerning anti-national activities and alleged links with foreign forces.

In his post on X, Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister's characterisation of the Opposition as anti-national and demanded that the allegations be addressed through an open discussion.

Gandhi said he had issued the challenge 24 hours earlier and urged Modi not to avoid the proposed debate.

Sitharaman Also Calls for Debate in Parliament

Earlier, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had criticised Gandhi's demand for a public debate, arguing that Parliament was the appropriate forum for such an exchange.

In her response on X, Sitharaman pointed out that Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, already had a platform in Parliament to raise questions and challenge the government.

She also referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to hold a special parliamentary session to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Sitharaman questioned why Gandhi was issuing challenges on social media instead of showing similar enthusiasm for a debate inside Parliament.