The BJP designated its Yuva Morcha Vice President Abhinav Prakash on Monday to engage in a public debate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Karnataka BJP leader Tejasvi Surya conveyed in a letter to Rahul Gandhi that it would constitute "an enriching debate between a political scion and a common youngster."

This announcement followed a letter from retired justices to former Congress Chief Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, inviting them to a platform for a debate on key Lok Sabha election issues. Rahul Gandhi accepted the invitation and also expressed the nation's expectation for the Prime Minister to participate.

However, the BJP declined the debate invitation, asserting that Rahul Gandhi lacked credentials even within the Congress party. Consequently, the Prime Minister saw no justification for engaging in a debate with him.

In his letter, Tejasvi Surya stated, "Dear Rahul Gandhi Ji, BJYM has designated Abhinav Prakash, National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha, as the representative for the forthcoming debate."

"We eagerly await your acceptance, anticipating a significant debate between the scion of a political dynasty that has held power in India for the longest duration since independence, and a representative of the new India under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi," it further stated.

The BJP candidate for the Bangalore South Lok Sabha seat highlighted in his letter that Abhinav Prakash is a young and educated leader from the Pasi (SC) community, constituting approximately 30 percent of the population in Rae Bareli.

Abhinav Prakash, expressing anticipation, took to X and stated that he awaited Rahul Gandhi's agreement to the debate.

"Thank you Shri @Tejasvi_Surya ji for nominating me. I am looking forward to Shri @RahulGandhi ji agreeing to debate. Let there be open discussion on all the issues be it democracy, constitution, governance, employment under Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji," Prakash tweeted.

Following Rahul Gandhi's acceptance of the debate invitation with Prime Minister Modi, Surya clarified that while the party could assign a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha spokesperson for the debate, the Prime Minister would not participate.

"Who is Rahul Gandhi that PM Modi should debate with him? Rahul Gandhi isn’t even the PM candidate of the Congress Party, let alone the INDI Alliance. Let him first get himself declared as Congress’s PM candidate, state he will take accountability for his party’s defeat, and then invite the PM for a debate. Until then, we are ready to depute our BJYM spokespersons to take him on in any debate," the BJP leader asserted.

Earlier, Congress asserted that PM Modi has not yet accepted the invitation to debate Rahul Gandhi. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, remarked on X, "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."

Image source: India Today