Rahul Gandhi jeers at PM’s ‘excellent’ presser

Soon after the Prime Minister's media interaction in New Delhi was over, Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a dig at him in a tweet, saying: "Congratulations Modi Ji. Excellent Press Conference! Showing up is half the battle. Next time Mr Shah may even allow you to answer a couple of questions. Well done!"

Gandhi, who held a parallel press conference at the time his BJP counterpart and the PM were meeting reporters, repeatedly urged Modi to debate him on several issues.

Gandhi said it is "very impressive" to see the PM address his first press conference a few days before the Lok Sabha election results are out.

"The PM's first press conference is coming 4-5 days before the election results. He is accompanying Amit Shah in the press briefing. It is unprecedented. Very good. I am told the doors have also been shut, as journalists who want to ask questions have been blocked. It is a great press conference," he told reporters.

"I want to ask the Prime Minister why he did not hold a debate on the Rafale issue? I want to ask you why did you give Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. I was ready to come to Race Course road to hold a debate with Modi," Gandhi said at his press conference.

The Anil Ambani firm and the government have repeatedly denied allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal.

He also said: "I am not going to pre-judge what the people of India will decide. The mood of the people will come out on May 23... Whatever the people decide, we will do that."