BJP's Gaurav Bhatia Accuses Rahul Gandhi of Promoting Anarchy; Modi Debate Challenge Draws Sitharaman's Response

Political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have intensified following fresh allegations over foreign links to Opposition-led protests and Rahul Gandhi's challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open public debate.

The controversy escalated on November 3 and 4, 2026, after BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha of promoting what he described as the politics of violence, anarchy and regime change.

The BJP has demanded an investigation into alleged connections between Opposition protests and foreign organisations, while Congress has continued to question the government's handling of electoral issues and democratic institutions.

BJP's Gaurav Bhatia Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Foreign Links

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia referred to alleged revelations from a media investigation concerning international organisations and protests in different countries.

Bhatia questioned the activities of organisations allegedly connected to Opposition demonstrations and accused Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders of attempting to destabilise the elected government.

He also raised questions about alleged foreign funding of protests, claiming that some organisations were supporting activities aimed at creating political instability in India.

Bhatia referred to demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the alleged involvement of foreign organisations in organising or supporting such protests.

He further accused Opposition leaders of attempting to achieve political change through protests and disorder rather than democratic elections.

These statements represent allegations made by the BJP and have not been independently established as evidence of wrongdoing by Rahul Gandhi or Congress.

Rahul Gandhi Challenges Narendra Modi to an Open Debate

Responding to the political controversy, Rahul Gandhi renewed his challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open public debate.

Gandhi questioned Modi's earlier remarks about the Opposition allegedly receiving foreign support and challenged him to discuss the accusations publicly.

The Congress leader proposed that the discussion could take place at any venue in the presence of media representatives and young people.

He also suggested that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat could act as the judge during the proposed debate.

Gandhi listed several subjects for discussion, including India's financial system, the US trade agreement, the Adani case and the Jeffrey Epstein controversy.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the trade agreement and asked why it was finalised without informing the Cabinet, while also demanding answers about allegations concerning foreign connections.

Gandhi maintained that the Prime Minister should openly address the accusations rather than allowing the political confrontation to continue through public statements.

Nirmala Sitharaman Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded sharply to Gandhi's open debate challenge, arguing that Parliament is the appropriate place for political discussions.

In a post on X on November 3, Sitharaman asked Gandhi why he was challenging the Prime Minister on social media instead of raising his questions in Parliament.

She also referred to Home Minister Amit Shah's offer to convene a special parliamentary session to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Sitharaman questioned the Congress party's parliamentary conduct, accusing its leaders of repeatedly walking out during government responses and disrupting House proceedings.

She also criticised the mock Parliament exercise organised by Congress at party president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence.

The Finance Minister urged Gandhi to present specific allegations supported by evidence, face scrutiny and remain in Parliament to hear the government's response.

Amit Shah Offers Special Parliament Session on SIR and EVMs

The political confrontation has also brought the electoral revision debate into focus.

Home Minister Amit Shah said the government was prepared to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The proposal comes amid Opposition concerns over voter verification, alleged deletion of names and the transparency of the electoral revision process.

The BJP has argued that Parliament provides the appropriate platform for discussing these issues, while Opposition parties continue to demand answers from the Election Commission and the government.

The proposed parliamentary discussion could become an important political battleground between the ruling alliance and the INDIA bloc.