Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged on Friday, November 13, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was getting his phone tapped, claiming that his mobile phone contained evidence supporting his allegations against the government. During an Instagram question-and-answer session, Gandhi held up his phone while speaking about the exchange of allegations between him and the Prime Minister over foreign influence and their respective political positions. He said, "The proof is in this phone, and the PM knows it since he taps my phone."

Gandhi renewed his challenge to Modi for a one-on-one public debate, arguing that such an interaction would expose the truth behind the allegations. He said Parliament was not an adequate alternative because he was allegedly prevented from raising several issues in the Lok Sabha, including the farm laws, alleged 'vote chori', the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, China, General MM Naravane's book and matters related to Jeffrey Epstein, claiming his microphone was switched off when he tried to raise them. He proposed a table with Modi on one side and himself on the other, and said he would have no objection if Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani or RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were appointed as judge. "But I guarantee that the prime minister will not remain the PM after a one-on-one debate with me," he said.S1

The renewed challenge comes amid an ongoing political exchange between the Congress and the BJP over allegations of foreign influence and the functioning of Parliament. BJP leaders have argued that Parliament provides the appropriate platform for discussing issues raised by the Opposition. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also questioned Gandhi's repeated demand for a separate public debate, saying the Lok Sabha is the proper forum.S1