Congress president Rahul Gandhi once again challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-to-one debate on corruption in Amethi as he raised the slogan ‘Chowkidar...’ and his supporters shouted ‘chor hai’ in unison’.

Raking up his often-repeated  poll theme of alleged corruption in the Rafale jet fighter deal, the Congress chief said, “The Prime Minister should not be afraid of a debate on corruption if he is so honest and has done nothing in the Rafale aircraft purchase.” 

Talking to media persons while campaigning in his parliamentary constituency, Amethi, on Monday afternoon, Rahul Gandhi said, “I just want a 15-minute one-to-one debate anywhere as suggested by the PM on corruption and then people of the country will come to know the real face of the ‘chowkidar’.” 

“Dudh ka dudh, paani ka paani ho jayega. I am telling you, Narendra Modiji won’t be able to show his face before the nation,” he added.

Alleging that there were irregularities in the Rafale aircraft deal, the Congress president said now every citizen of the country knew about the corruption of the Prime Minister. 

Though refusing to comment on any other issue, Rahul said the media were also pressurised by the Prime Minister.

“If you all (media)  say your mann ki baat, then the PM will beat you up. But you should not worry as in this election Modi will be out and we will be in and you can write whatever you want,” he said.  

Addressing a gathering, Rahul said, “In 2014, there was a slogan of ‘achhey din ayenge’,  but in this election, it is ‘chowkidar’,” and the4 crowd shouted back ‘chor hai’. 

Addressing election meetings, first in Barabanki from where Tanuj Punia, son of senior party leader PL Punia is the Congress candidate, and later in Amethi, Rahul Gandhi hit out at Modi for his false promise of creating two crore jobs every year. 

Dwelling on the Congress poll promise of NYAY (the Nyuntam Aay Yojna or the minimum income scheme which envisages a grant of Rs 6,000 a month to 20 per cent of the poorest people in the country, Rahul said it was a well thought out scheme that was viable and would be implemented by his party after forming government at the Centre.

“We will fill up 22 lakh government jobs and also give jobs to lakh of youths in panchayats,” he said in Tiloi in Amethi. 

Rahul Gandhi said if the Congress came to power, within three months a kisan-oriented budget would be presented  besides a separate budget for the entire country.

“In the Congress regime, farmers will not have to go to jail for not repaying their loans.,” he said and promised that 150 new factories would be set up in Amethi and the food park taken away from Amethi would be returned.

Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi addressed two election meetings, one in Rae Bareli, his mother’s constituency, and another at Sultanpur, where senior party leader Sanjay Singh is the candidate.  Rahul Gandhi’s aunt Maneka Gandhi is the BJP candidate from Sultanpur.