Rahul accuses Modi of tapping his phone

New Delhi, November 13: India’s Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having his phone tapped, claiming that it contains evidence supporting his allegations against the Prime Minister.

Gandhi made the allegation on Friday during an interactive ‘Ask Me’ session on Instagram, where he responded to questions from supporters and reiterated his demand for a one-on-one public debate with Modi.

Holding up his mobile phone, Gandhi said, “The proof of all my allegations is in this phone, and the Prime Minister knows it because he taps my phone.”

He claimed that the device contained information about individuals allegedly acting under the influence of foreign powers and engaging in activities against India’s national interests.

Gandhi also challenged Modi to participate in a face-to-face debate, saying such a discussion would reveal who was being controlled by foreign forces and who was working against the country’s interests.

“Any time, any place. Let him debate me on who is anti-national and who is controlled by foreign forces,” he said.

Explaining why he preferred a direct public debate over discussions in Parliament, Gandhi alleged that he was not being allowed to speak freely in the House and that his microphone had been switched off during parliamentary proceedings.

He also referred to several issues on which he claimed he had not been given an opportunity to speak, including farm laws, alleged electoral irregularities, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, China’s activities and other national issues.

This is not the first time Gandhi has raised concerns about alleged phone surveillance.

In 2023, he claimed that his phone and those of several other politicians had been targeted using Pegasus spyware.

He also alleged that intelligence officials had warned him that conversations over the phone were being monitored.

The Narendra Modi government had previously denied allegations of surveillance involving Pegasus spyware.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders have dismissed Gandhi’s repeated debate challenges, arguing that Parliament is the appropriate forum for discussing national issues.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently suggested that Gandhi raise the matters in Parliament.

Gandhi’s latest remarks come amid an intensifying political confrontation between the ruling BJP and opposition parties over electoral processes and allegations of foreign interference.

Importantly, Gandhi did not present any independently verifiable technical evidence of phone tapping during the Instagram session.