'PM is aware': Rahul Gandhi claims his phone tapped
What's the story
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again to an open debate, alleged that his phone was being tapped. Holding up his phone during an Instagram interactive session, Gandhi said, "The Prime Minister is aware of this because he has my phone tapped." He said the day PM Modi agrees to face-to-face debate, "everyone will learn who is under the control of foreign powers, who is anti-national, and how long they have been involved in anti-national activities."
Past claims
Gandhi's previous allegations of phone tapping
In 2023, Gandhi had alleged that he and other politicians were victims of phone tapping through Pegasus spyware. He claimed to have been warned by Intelligence officers about his conversations being recorded.
The Centre had denied these allegations at the time.
Last week, he said he was ready to participate on "any platform, any time, any place" and urged Union ministers to persuade PM Modi to accept the challenge.
Friday's challenge was the seventh time in less than two weeks.
Twitter Post
Gandhi's dare to PM Modi
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐨𝐧-𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. pic.twitter.com/lhcxKdv6ph
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 13, 2026
Political response
BJP leaders respond to Gandhi's debate challenge
Gandhi's debate challenge has been met with criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier asked why Gandhi was not using Parliament as a platform for discussion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also challenged Gandhi to a debate in Parliament.
"You challenge PM Modi for....discussion? If you want a discussion, simply write a letter to PM Modi. We are ready to convene a special session...to discuss the SIR exercise...Come and debate in Parliament," Shah said.