Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said he has invited Congress leader V D Satheesan for a debate on Facebook, clarifying that it was not meant to be a public face-to-face event.
Responding to queries during a press conference here, Vijayan said, "I invited him to a debate on Facebook. I think he has not expressed reluctance for the debate via Facebook. Let that debate happen." However, Satheesan reiterated his readiness for an open public debate with the chief minister.
In a fresh Facebook post, he said it had been 24 hours since Vijayan agreed to a debate, but the venue and time were yet to be decided.
He also said he would be present at the place and time fixed by the chief minister and urged him to finalise the details at the earliest.
The exchange of words comes days ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, intensifying political contest in the state.
On Monday, Vijayan accepted Satheesan's challenge for a debate, sharing on social media what he termed the LDF government's "report card" and asking whether the opposition was ready to engage on its listed achievements, which he described as an "A-plus" performance.
Soon after, Satheesan said he was ready to participate in a debate at a time and venue decided by the chief minister, adding, "Let the people decide the rest." Addressing a press conference in Kollam later, Vijayan welcomed the opposition's willingness for a debate but stressed that the Assembly remained the most important forum for discussions.
He alleged that the opposition had failed to raise issues effectively in the Assembly and had avoided debates there, fearing replies from the ruling front. The UDF had not even moved any adjournment motion during the last session ahead of the polls, he claimed.
"Let's have a debate if the opposition is ready to answer all such questions. We don't have any issues," Vijayan added.
