I knew PM would not accept debate challenge: Advani

BJP's PM candidate LK Advani today said when he threw the challenge of a television debate at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he knew the latter would not accept it but he wanted to send a message across to the people.

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate LK Advani today said when he threw the challenge of a television debate at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh he knew the latter would not accept it but he wanted to send a message across to the people.

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"I knew fully well that the Prime Minister would not accept the challenge for a debate. Just as I knew that he would not contest the Lok Sabha elections despite my suggesting that the Prime Minister should be a member of the Lok Sabha," Advani told PTI.

When asked why he made this suggestion though he knew it would not be accepted by Singh, Advani said, "I did it as this sends a message to the people about the Congress Prime Ministerial candidate."

Earlier today, Advani said in a BJP election rally that if Singh was not willing to have a debate with him, Congress President Sonia Gandhi could step forward and accept his challenge.