MP: Rahul Gandhi mocks 'workaholic' PM, dares him to debate
Khargone, May 11: Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported punishing work schedule and dared him to debate on it, claiming the latter would lose face in fifteen minutes.
Speaking at a rally in Khargone Lok Sabha seat, Gandhi said Modi's "balloon" would burst when the results are declared on May 23.
"Let him (Modi) organise a debate at any place in Parliament or Gujarat. I can guarantee to the youths of the country that after 15 minutes of debate, he won't be able to show his face to them," said Gandhi, reacting to statements of BJP leaders that the prime minister works up to 21 hours a day.
"When the world sleeps, Modi is awake. In the night he sends money to (businessman) Anil Ambani."
Gandhi said Modi, despite "working so much", was unable to answer simple questions, including that of alleged irregularities in the purchase of the Rafale fighter jets.
"You (Modi) work so much, then debate with me. When I raised questions on Rafale, he was unable to reply. Even after thinking for 21 hours, he is unable to reply to the four questions (on Rafale)," Gandhi said.
"Modi's balloon will burst with a deafening sound on May 23," he said.
Gandhi, earlier in the day, also addressed a rally in Amjhera in Dhar Lok Sabha constituency.
While Govind Mujalde is the Congress candidate from Khargone, the party's contestant from Dhar is Dinesh Girwal.
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PM Modi speaks to Iranian president, discusses 'serious' situation in West Asia
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night spoke to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian over the phone and discussed the "serious situation" in West Asia.
Modi expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the region and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.
The prime minister told the Iranian President that the safety and security of Indian nationals, along with the need for unhindered transit of goods and energy, remain India's top priorities.
“Had a conversation with Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, to discuss the serious situation in the region. Expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure,” Modi said in a post on X.
The prime minister also reiterated India's commitment to peace and stability and urged dialogue and diplomacy to end the crisis.
The prime minister had spoken to leaders of several West Asian countries in the last 10 days in the wake of the coordinated offensive launched against Iran by the United States and Israel, in which the Islamic country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed last month.
In retaliation, Iran has fired drones and missiles at Israel and US military installations around the Gulf region, including the global business and aviation hubs of Dubai and Doha.
Modi earlier spoke to the leaders of Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Israel and Qatar, and expressed concern over the attacks on their countries, and condemned the violation of some nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He also discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries.
Around 1 crore Indians live in the Gulf and West Asia. While about 10,000 Indian citizens live, study and work in Iran, more than 40,000 live in Israel.
