GUWAHATI | Assam minister Ashok Singhal on November 6 launched a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his demand for a public debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accusing him of avoiding discussions in Parliament.

Singhal claimed that Gandhi was not taken seriously even within the Congress party and alleged that the Leader of the Opposition lacked consistency in his political statements.”Rahul Gandhi is not taken seriously by the Congress party itself. The people of the country also do not take him seriously. Why are you taking him so seriously?” Singhal said.

Responding to Gandhi’s call for a debate with the Prime Minister, the Assam minister said open discussions were essential in a democracy but argued that Parliament was the appropriate constitutional platform for such exchanges.”A debate should happen. Debate is very important in a democracy. But where should the debate take place? There must be a proper platform for it. The Constitution has designated Parliament as the place for debate,” he said.

Singhal pointed out that Rahul Gandhi was the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, while Narendra Modi was the Leader of the House. He questioned why the Congress leader did not use Parliament to raise issues and challenge the government.

“So why doesn’t Rahul Gandhi speak in Parliament? He runs away from Parliament and does not allow the House to function,” Singhal alleged.Taking another swipe at the Congress leader, Singhal predicted that Gandhi would leave for a foreign tour within the next few days instead of pursuing his demand for a debate.

“Just wait four days, and you will see him leave for a foreign tour. There is no consistency in him,” he remarked.The Assam minister also praised Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, claiming that India had undergone a significant transformation in its global standing over the past 12-and-a-half years.

“In the last 12 and a half years, Modi ji has brought the country out of darkness and made India a Vishwamitra,” Singhal said.His remarks add to the political exchange between the BJP and Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s demand for a direct debate with the Prime Minister.