Opposition Leaders Slam PM for Dodging Debate Call with Rahul Gandhi

Senior opposition figures have publicly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for declining to participate in a televised debate with Rahul Gandhi, labeling the move as an evasion of democratic scrutiny. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman previously dismissed the request by citing Parliament as the designated arena for political debates.

JMM leader Manoj Pandey challenged this position by highlighting the Prime Minister's and Home Minister's frequent absences from parliamentary debates. He questioned the logic behind avoiding direct confrontation, suggesting that a public debate would serve as a transparent demonstration of governmental competence and answer-seeking capabilities.

Congress MP Imran Masud aligned with Pandey's perspective, insisting that the executive branch owes it to the electorate to engage in open dialogue. Dr. Riyaz expanded on this narrative, noting that the void left by ministerial non-attendance in the house forces opposition voices to resonate directly with the citizenry.

Expressing openness to negotiation, Riyaz stated that Congress is ready to debate on any government-approved platform, regardless of timing or location. On the regional front, he dismissed rumors of instability within the National Conference and Congress partnership in Jammu and Kashmir, describing the coalition as firmly united.

Riyaz also shed light on developmental stagnation in the region, attributing it to a lack of timely financial assistance from the central ministry. He revealed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is continuously pushing for resource allocation to accelerate infrastructure and administrative improvements. Still committed to long-term regional prosperity, the Congress leadership vowed to defend constitutional safeguards and promote sustainable tourism despite ongoing fiscal constraints.