Advani challenges Manmohan for TV debate

POLL POSTURING: Advani said he was ready for a live debate with Manmohan as practised in the US.

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Seppa (Arunachal Pradesh): BJP leader LK Advani on Thursday welcomed the Congress announcement that Dr Manmohan Singh would be its prime ministerial candidate in the ensuing elections, but said Singh should enter Parliament by contesting polls in a Lok Sabha constituency instead of taking the Rajya Sabha route.

"It is good that UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi has finally announced its prospective premier's name setting at rest a whirlpool of speculations," NDA's prime ministerial candidate told an election rally in Seppa.

However, Advani said Manmohan Singh would be more acceptable to the common people if he becomes a Lok Sabha member.

The former deputy prime minister said he was ready for a live debate with Manmohan Singh on various issues on TV channels as practised in the US.

Dubbing Manmohan Singh as the "weakest prime minister the country ever had", the leader of the saffron brigade said, "He cannot do anything without getting a green signal from 10 Janpath."

"A minister posted at the PMO takes the PM's proposals to Gandhi without her nod he cannot move."

Advani said even former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, who was an elected representative in the Lok Sabha, had worked with more authority.

Referring to China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh, he said if that country wanted to develop good relations with India, it should stop claiming Arunachal.

Later talking to reporters, he said NCP leader, Purno A Sangma was trying to unite all anti-Congress forces in the north eastern region. "This is a good job and I have all respect for Sangma," Advani said.

Later at an another election rally at Tinsukia in Assam, Advani claimed UPA partners were deserting it. "Just now I have come to know that PMK has left the UPA. They are becoming weaker and we are getting stronger everyday."

The BJP was making alliances with different political parties in the country, including the AGP, to root out the Congress from power, he added.

Referring to the issue of infiltration, Advani said, "The Congress government is colluding with the infiltrators and protecting them for their narrow political interests."