Narendra Modi vs Rahul Gandhi: BJP leader on top,says Arun Jaitley

However,a pointed question over media coverage annoyed Arun Jaitley.

Refusing to be drawn into the Narendra Modi versus Rahul Gandhi debate on Prime Ministerial candidature,BJP leader Arun Jaitley today said the Gujarat chief minister was an “extremely” popular leader whose views are being heard with great attention and scrutiny.

“I am not going to get into this debate between individuals. But the fact that he (Modi) is an extremely popular leader and his views are being heard with great attention and scrutiny by a very large sections of Indians is itself self-evident”,Jaitley told reporters here.

Jaitley was responding to a question about “Modi wave all across the country” and whether the BJP was waiting for the Congress to declare Rahul Gandhi as its Prime Ministerial candidate before the BJP named its choice.

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On a report that he had advised the BJP leaders not to promote any leader,Jaitley snapped back,”My advice to you is do not believe the media on everything it writes.”

He also dismissed a query on a reported statement by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan that he is not in the reckoning for the Prime Minister’s post as he did not carry the persona for it. “I am not aware of any such statement.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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