Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a debate on the Rafale defence deal. Gandhi was addressing the party’s Jan Dhwani (People’s Voice) rally in Karnataka’s Bidar.

The Congress president accused Modi of “stealing taxpayers’ money” and giving it to “his friend”. “Make me debate with [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi on Rafale for as long as you can, for as many hours as you can... and he would not be able to speak for one second,” Gandhi said. “He will never accept this challenge, as he has been lying to the nation. Chowkidar hi bhaagidar hai [This watchman is a collaborator].”

Gandhi referred to Modi as prime minister of “15 super rich businessmen.”

In September, India had signed an inter-governmental deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets that would cost Rs 58,000 crore. On July 20, Gandhi lashed out at Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha, claiming they had not been truthful about the deal with France.

In Parliament, Gandhi had asked the government why the contract was taken away from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and given to a businessman who is under a lot of debt, an apparent reference to Anil Ambani. The Congress president also claimed that French President Emmanuel Macron had told him that there was no secrecy pact between the two countries about the deal. Following Gandhi’s speech, France issued a statement that said a 2008 agreement between Paris and New Delhi bound the two countries to protect classified documents and it applied to the Rafale deal as well.

Rapes in the country

Gandhi also criticised the Modi-led government on the rising number of rapes and crimes against women in the country.

The Congress leader said that while the prime minister introduced a slogan of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ [Save the girl, teach the girl], he did not specify whom the girls should be saved from. “A rape was committed in Uttar Pradesh and a Bharatiya Janata Party leader was caught,” Gandhi told the crowd. “The prime minister has not said a word on the matter.” Gandhi was referring to MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao.

Karnataka loan waiver

The Congress president also challenged Modi to waive 50% of farmer loans in Karnataka. “I challenge Prime Minister Modi from this stage,” Gandhi said. The Karnataka [Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition] government waived off loans of farmers. If you have 56-inch chest, I dare you to do this. But you won’t do this.”