Aam Aadmi Party's leader Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday dared Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi to an open debate in Varanasi from where they both are contesting the Lok Sabha elections.
"I invite Mr Modi for an open discussion on a public platform. Let Kashi people ask straight questions from both of us. Time place his choice", Kejriwal tweeted early on Thursday morning.
Modi is slated to be in Varanasi on Thursday as campaigning for the last of the nine-phased polls gathers heat. Varanasi goes to vote on May 12.
Senior BJP leaders will protest against the Election Commission in front of the main gates of Benaras Hindu University (BHU) on Thursday. The EC on Wednesday denied permission to Narendra Modi for holding a rally in Varanasi citing security issues.
Kejriwal also tweeted that "BJP top brass landed in Kashi. Shows their nervousness. Will they be able to save Modi ji from defeat?"
He also accused Modi of attempting to "draw political mileage" from the controversy and asked why he was not performing the "Ganga aarti" when he had been allowed to by th EC. The Ganga aarti was scheduled for 4pm on Thursday.
{{/usCountry}}He also accused Modi of attempting to "draw political mileage" from the controversy and asked why he was not performing the "Ganga aarti" when he had been allowed to by th EC. The Ganga aarti was scheduled for 4pm on Thursday.
{{/usCountry}}"Modi ji given permission of Ganga arti. Yet rather than performing arti, he is trying to draw political mileage. Sad", Kejriwal tweeted.