'Why Challenge on Social Media?' Sitharaman Challenges Rahul Gandhi to Debate SIR, EVMs in Parliament

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman challenged Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to debate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Parliament, questioning why he was issuing challenges on social media instead of taking up the issues in the House.

In a post on X, Sitharaman said Parliament was the appropriate platform for a debate, particularly since Gandhi is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. She also pointed out that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had offered to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss SIR and EVMs.

“Rahul ji, you ask the Prime Minister to choose a venue for a debate. There is already one: Parliament, where you happen to be the LoP,” Sitharaman said, urging Gandhi to bring evidence, face scrutiny and listen to the government’s response.

Her remarks came after Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate over his allegation that the Opposition was anti-national. Gandhi had also questioned why Modi had not filed a defamation case against him over his allegations concerning the Prime Minister’s foreign connections.

Sitharaman accused Gandhi and the INDIA bloc of repeatedly walking out of Parliament and disrupting proceedings, arguing that such actions contradicted their demand for debates. She questioned why the Opposition did not allow Parliament to function if it was genuinely interested in discussing important issues.

The Finance Minister also criticised Gandhi for holding a mock Parliament exercise at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence earlier this week, saying the real Parliament deserved at least the same enthusiasm.

She further urged Gandhi to support his allegations with specific evidence, saying the Leader of Opposition was expected to demonstrate seriousness and responsibility while raising questions about constitutional institutions.

Meanwhile, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also criticised Gandhi in a post on X, saying, “Mr. Rahul Gandhi: Debating with himself since 2014! You are in a league of your own.”