New Delhi: While accepting the invitation of former judges Madan B Lokur and Ajit P Shah and senior journalist N Ram for a public debate on the Lok Sabha election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that it is to be seen when the Prime Minister agrees to participate.
On social media post X, Rahul said, "It would be a positive initiative for the major parties to present their vision to the country from one platform for a healthy democracy. Congress welcomes this initiative and accepts the invitation for discussion. The country also expects the Prime Minister to take part in this dialogue".
In a letter accepting the invitation, Gandhi said, "I have discussed your invitation with the Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge ji. We agree that such a debate will help people understand our respective vision and enable them to make an informed choice."
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The Congress leader said that such a debate was "critical to put to rest any unsubstantiate allegations attributed to our respective parties".
"As the principal parties fighting the election, the public deserve to hear from their leaders directly. Accordingly neither myself or the Congress president would be pleased to participate in such a debate," the Wayanad MP said.
The former Congress President said, "Please let us know if and when the Prime Minister agrees to participate , following which we can discuss the detail and format of the debate."
It may be mentioned that two former judges and a senior journalist had written to the Prime Minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urging them to participate in a meaningful public debate on issues that matter in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.