'Scion Of A Dynasty Vs A Commoner Of Modi's New India': BJP's Tejasvi Pitches 'Yuva' Leader To Debate Rahul Gandhi

Underlining the “critical need for open and active dialogue,” Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasvi Surya on Monday called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to debate with Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader for what he described as a fight between “the scion of a political dynasty” and “a commoner representing the new India.”

The debate row amid the Lok Sabha elections began when Justice (Retd) Madan B Lokur, Justice (Retd) Ajit P Shah, and N Ram wrote to both Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting them to a platform for a debate on key election issues. Rahul lauded the initiative and expressed willingness for either himself or party chief Mallikarjun Kharge to participate.

‘Dear Rahul Gandhi Ji…’

“Dear Rahul Gandhi Ji, BJYM has deputed Sri @Abhina_Prakash, our VP, to debate with you. He is a young and educated leader from the Pasi (SC) community, who are around 30%, in Rae Baraeli. It will be an enriching debate between a political scion and a common youngster who has come up the hard way. Looking forward,” said Surya, the National President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

Accepting the Congress party’s proposal for debate, Surya said that the BJP is ready to engage in discussions despite the demanding schedule of the Lok Sabha election campaign. The BJP leader from Karnataka nominated Abhinav Prakash, National Vice-President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, as the BJYM’s representative for the upcoming debate.

Who is Abhinav Prakash?

“He (Abhinav Prakash) hails from Uttar Pradesh, a state you have previously represented in Parliament. Additionally, he is from a Dalit caste, Pasi, which makes up the significant proportion of over 30% of the scheduled caste population in Raebareli. This is the very constituency your family has long represented and where you are a current electoral contender,” Surya said. “We eagerly anticipate your acceptance, setting the stage for what promises to be a historic debate between the scion of a political dynasty which has ruled India for the longest time since independence and a commoner representing the new India of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji,” he added.

After Gandhi accepted the invite for debate last week, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday that PM Modi has not yet “mustered the courage” to accept the invitation for a debate “Day 1 of Rahul Gandhi’s letter accepting an invitation to debate the prime minister. The 56-inch chest has not yet mustered the courage to accept the invite,” Ramesh said in a post on X. On Saturday, Gandhi accepted an invitation to debate with Modi and also said the nation expects the prime minister to participate in it.

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