JOIN USThe Congress on Thursday dared Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to an open debate on his much-touted development model, but refused to pit party vice-president Rahul Gandhi against the BJP strongman.
“If he (Modi) is so confident of the governance model of Gujarat, he should come and debate it with us any day, any place and in any format of his choice,” said Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari. Tewari’s remarks came at a time when Modi has been ridiculing the Centre for alleged mismanagement of the economy and targeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for being “indecisive.”
Tewari cited Gujarat’s “poor” performance on several social development indices including infant and maternal mortality rates and malnutrition.
However, the UPA appeared reluctant to field Rahul Gandhi in the proposed debate. “First let him deal with us. We can decide on the next course later,” Tewari said.
Modi has mounted a high-voltage campaign against the UPA government through his public appearances in various states after his elevation as the chairman of the BJP’s campaign committee for the Lok Sabha elections.
Until recently, the Congress was cautious in dealing with Modi, choosing to ignore his comments.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s sharp attack on Modi, dubbing him “the merchant of death,” had backfired during the 2007 Assembly elections.