Kejriwal challenges Bedi for debate, Maken says yes

January 21, 2015 12:22 pm | Updated 01:41 pm IST

NEW DELHI, 19/01/2015: Aam Aadami Party (AAP) supporter blowing gharwali trumpet during padyatra in Pandav Nagar by Manish Sisodia, candidate from Patparganj constituency on his way to file nomination for the Delhi Legislative Assembly election, in New Delhi on January 19, 2015.  
Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI, 19/01/2015: Aam Aadami Party (AAP) supporter blowing gharwali trumpet during padyatra in Pandav Nagar by Manish Sisodia, candidate from Patparganj constituency on his way to file nomination for the Delhi Legislative Assembly election, in New Delhi on January 19, 2015. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Faces representing each of the three major contenders of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls took to debating the validity of a public debate on issues facing the Capital, and what solutions they are willing to bring to the table.

Early Tuesday, after news of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s challenge to the BJP’s newly anointed chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi through a tweet began doing the rounds, the issue became the topic of a tug-of-war for them, with the Congress’ Ajay Maken joining the fray.

Ms. Bedi chose to accept Mr. Kejriwal’s challenge, but only in part saying that she would rather debate with him on the floor of the Delhi Assembly. Mr. Maken said he was all “for a structured discussion among the three politicians who are leading the campaign of their parties for the Assembly polls”.

This lack of consensus among them of the future debate was echoed by political observers and academicians.

“Debates like these are, and can only be, an urban phenomenon and I’m against these,” said Professor Sanjay Kumar, director, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. “Though dialogue is welcome in a Parliamentary democracy it should centre around issues such as poverty in a country like ours instead of around leaders representing political parties,” he added.

Professor Neera Chandhoke from Delhi University’s Department of Political Science seemed to agree and warned against a rapid build up of a cult of the leader and the dangers this posed to the essence of Parliamentary government.

“There must be public debates on substantive issues in the manifestos between leaders and members of the political public, so that instead of an audience, citizens can become participants,” she said.

According to renowned social scientist Shiv Visvanathan, however, such debates could go a long way in bringing politicians out of their comfort zones provided they were structured and regulated.

“I’m all for these given neutrality in issues, time provided to each participant and a ruthless moderator,” Professor Visvanathan said.

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