Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a sharp counterattack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of depending on foreign support to secure and retain power. Gandhi also challenged the Prime Minister to a public debate, declaring that he was ready to face him on any platform and at any time.

The exchange followed Modi’s address at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas event at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, where he criticised the Opposition and questioned its role in a democracy. The Prime Minister alleged that forces were attempting to weaken national unity through conspiracies and warned against the use of social media to spread misinformation and damage India’s reputation.

Responding to Modi in a post on X, Gandhi accused him of misleading the country and attributed his political position to foreign backing.

“Mr Modi, stop lying to this nation. You became PM because of foreign help. You remain PM because of foreign help,” the Congress leader wrote.

Gandhi went on to question the extent of foreign influence over India's financial system and social media landscape. He alleged that the country's financial system was controlled and supported by foreign interests and claimed that international social media platforms were backing the Prime Minister.

He then issued a direct challenge to Modi, asking him to participate in an open debate on the subject.

“I challenge you to an open debate about this. Any stage, any time. Come if you have the guts,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader further claimed that Modi would avoid accepting the challenge because he was afraid of what Gandhi knew about him.

MODI ACCUSES OPPOSITION OF BECOMING AN 'OBSTRUCTIONIST FORCE'

In his Rashtriya Ekta Diwas address, Modi said the Opposition had moved away from its constitutional and democratic responsibility of holding the government accountable. While questioning government policies was a legitimate role of the Opposition, he alleged that it had instead become an obstacle to the country's progress.

Describing the situation as unfortunate, Modi said the Opposition was pursuing obstruction rather than constructive political opposition. He also accused it of creating hurdles in development because of frustration and disappointment, and of weakening the dignity of the Constitution.

“This is not opposition; this is obstruction. They have made this their political agenda,” the Prime Minister said.

PM QUESTIONS ALLEGED LINKS WITH ANTI-INDIA FORCES

Modi also warned of what he described as organised efforts to divide the country. He urged people to identify such activities and respond collectively, alleging that some forces had become more active after years of political frustration.

Without naming individuals, the Prime Minister raised questions about meetings allegedly taking place abroad and the support extended by forces hostile to India. He also questioned who was echoing the positions of the country's adversaries.

Modi separately flagged the alleged misuse of social media, saying rumours were being circulated and attempts were being made to harm India's image. He called for collective action to counter such campaigns.

The remarks triggered Gandhi's response, taking the political exchange from Modi's allegations about foreign links to the Congress leader's own accusations of foreign influence over the Prime Minister and the country's institutions.