Debate in Parliament not streets, Congress tells BJP

Dismissing BJP's allegation that its leaders were shying away from a live TV debate mooted by LK Advani, the Congress today said "Parliament and not the streets" was the appropriate stage for it. Congress leader Digvijay Singh said Advani should also invite other aspirants for the PM's post like BSP chief Mayawati and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda and not PM Manmohan Singh alone".Full Coverage

Dismissing BJP's allegation that its leaders were shying away from a live TV debate mooted by L K Advani, the Congress on Sunday said "Parliament and not the streets" was the appropriate stage for it.

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Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said if Advani "wants a live debate, he should invite other aspirants for the PM's post like BSP chief Mayawati and JD(S) leader Deve Gowda and not Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alone".

"The prime minister and leader of opposition L K Advani were often engaged in debates on almost all issues in Parliament.

"Are the Lok Sabha elections like the US presidential elections, that they should have a one-to-one TV debate. Parliament and not the streets is the appropriate stage for such a debate," Singh told reporters

Raising the Kandahar hijacking issue, the Congress leader alleged that the militants freed by the then NDA government in 1999 were now spreading terror in the country.