- Rahul Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was tapping his phone and claimed that it contained evidence against him.
- Gandhi renewed his demand for a one-on-one public debate with Modi on foreign influence, national security and other issues.
- BJP leaders rejected the allegation and questioned Gandhi’s evidence, while the Centre had previously denied his Pegasus-related surveillance claims.
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was tapping his phone and claimed that the device contained evidence supporting his allegations against the Prime Minister.
Gandhi made the remarks during an interactive ‘Ask Me’ session on Instagram, where he responded to questions from users and renewed his demand for a one-on-one public debate with Modi.
Holding up his mobile phone, the Congress leader said that the evidence behind his allegations was stored on the device and claimed that the Prime Minister was aware of its contents because his phone was being tapped.
However, Gandhi did not present any independently verifiable technical evidence during the online interaction to establish the alleged phone tapping.
Rahul Gandhi Renews One-on-One Debate Challenge
During the Instagram session, Gandhi argued that a direct debate with Modi would clarify allegations concerning foreign influence and national security.
He said the proposed discussion would establish who was allegedly controlled by foreign powers and who was anti-national.
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s suggestion that such issues could be discussed in Parliament. He claimed that he was not allowed to speak freely in the Lok Sabha and that his microphone had been switched off on several occasions.
Gandhi referred to issues including farm laws, alleged vote theft, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, China and other matters while explaining why he wanted a direct public debate.
He said he was open to holding the discussion on any platform and suggested that Gautam Adani or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat could be appointed as a judge for the proposed debate.
BJP Dismisses Phone-Tapping Allegation
BJP leaders rejected Gandhi’s latest allegation and questioned the evidence behind his claim.
Union Minister of State B.L. Verma said the allegations lacked evidence and criticised the Congress leader for making such claims.
Other BJP leaders also challenged Gandhi to produce evidence to support his allegations rather than making statements publicly.
The BJP has repeatedly argued that Parliament is the appropriate forum for discussing political and national issues. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier questioned Gandhi’s demand for a separate debate when Parliament was available.
Earlier Pegasus Surveillance Allegations
This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about alleged phone surveillance.
In 2023, he claimed that Pegasus spyware had been installed on his phone and those of several other politicians. He also alleged that intelligence officials had warned him to be careful while speaking over the phone because conversations were being recorded.
The Central government had rejected the allegations.
The latest remarks have again brought the issue of alleged surveillance into the political debate. However, Gandhi’s current claim that his phone is being tapped by the Prime Minister remains an allegation and has not been independently established.
