“It is also critical to put to rest any unsubstantiated allegations attributed to our respective parties. As the principal parties fighting the election, the public deserve to hear from their leaders directly. Accordingly, either myself or the Congress President would be pleased to participate in such a debate,” he said in his letter replying to former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur, former High Court chief justice AP Shah and journalist N Ram.

Rahul shared his response on social media site X. Rahul also said in the letter: “Please do let us know if and when the Prime Minister agrees to participate, following which we can discuss the details and format of the debate.”

At an event in Lucknow on Friday, Rahul was asked a question about the proposal for a debate between the PM and him. He had said, “I am 100 per cent ready to debate anyone. Even the PM… But I know the PM and he won’t debate me.”

The former judges and the journalist had written to Rahul and the PM earlier this week, saying: “We believe that citizens would hugely benefit by hearing directly from our political leaders through a public debate on a non-partisan and non-commercial platform. It would be ideal if the public heard not just the questions of each side, but also the responses. We are of the view that this would help to strengthen our democratic process immensely.”

Congress general secretary and MP K C Venugopal wrote on his social media after Rahul uploaded the letter: “The Congress is ready for a debate on the issues of our nation – will the PM who has not addressed a single press conference in the last 10 years dare to attend?”