New Delhi:
Activist-politician Arvind Kejriwal today challenged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to a public debate. And it took only a few hours for Congress leader Digvijaya Singh to hit back; he told NDTV that he accepts the invitation. This is two days after Mr Singh in a strong-worded letter asked Mr Kejriwal to come clean on his NGO funds, saying the member of the civil society group India Against Corruption had turned into a 'self-serving ambitious megalomaniac with scant regard for democracy.'
Mr Kejriwal tweeted this morning, "I request Mr Digvijay to encourage Mrs Gandhi, PM or Mr Rahul Gandhi to come for a public debate. Place n time of their choice. Let's question each other n let public question us on personal n public issues. Digvijay ready?"
Mr Singh in his letter had said, "I have been seeing you asking questions to people against whom you are making allegations. Therefore, I also have certain questions to ask to you." Mr Kejriwal today hit back, saying that he will answer all questions from the Congress leader but only after businessman Robert Vadra, who is the son-in-law of Mrs Gandhi, responds to the questions put by him and his team.
"We had put some questions to Mr Robert Vadra and the PM. Let them answer first. Then, we will answer all questions from Mr Digvijay," Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
In the last few days, Mr Kejriwal and his supporters - members of the India Against Corruption - have shared documents that highlight allegedly illicit deals struck by politicians to favour their own businesses or those linked to their families. Mr Kejriwal and his as-yet-unnamed party have levelled corruption charges against Law Minister Salman Khurshid, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, and Mr Vadra. Both the Congress and the BJP have accused him of making up graft charges to gain publicity for his new party ahead of elections in states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
Mr Singh reiterated in his note that Mr Kejriwal had asked to be appointed to the National Advisory Council or NAC, headed by Sonia Gandhi, which serves as a powerful liaison group between civil society and the government. The Congress leader says that Mrs Gandhi turned down his suggestion to include Mr Kejriwal in that committee. However, Mr Kejriwal has denied the charges made by Mr Singh.
Mr Kejriwal together with Gandhian Anna Hazare had championed a movement demanding the introduction of a new anti-corruption law. The draft legislation - called the Lokpal Bill - has been stalled in Parliament. Anna, who is widely respected as an activist, has been estranged from Mr Kejriwal since the latter decided to launch a political party and contest elections.
Mr Kejriwal tweeted this morning, "I request Mr Digvijay to encourage Mrs Gandhi, PM or Mr Rahul Gandhi to come for a public debate. Place n time of their choice. Let's question each other n let public question us on personal n public issues. Digvijay ready?"
Mr Singh in his letter had said, "I have been seeing you asking questions to people against whom you are making allegations. Therefore, I also have certain questions to ask to you." Mr Kejriwal today hit back, saying that he will answer all questions from the Congress leader but only after businessman Robert Vadra, who is the son-in-law of Mrs Gandhi, responds to the questions put by him and his team.
"We had put some questions to Mr Robert Vadra and the PM. Let them answer first. Then, we will answer all questions from Mr Digvijay," Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
In the last few days, Mr Kejriwal and his supporters - members of the India Against Corruption - have shared documents that highlight allegedly illicit deals struck by politicians to favour their own businesses or those linked to their families. Mr Kejriwal and his as-yet-unnamed party have levelled corruption charges against Law Minister Salman Khurshid, BJP president Nitin Gadkari, and Mr Vadra. Both the Congress and the BJP have accused him of making up graft charges to gain publicity for his new party ahead of elections in states like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
Mr Singh reiterated in his note that Mr Kejriwal had asked to be appointed to the National Advisory Council or NAC, headed by Sonia Gandhi, which serves as a powerful liaison group between civil society and the government. The Congress leader says that Mrs Gandhi turned down his suggestion to include Mr Kejriwal in that committee. However, Mr Kejriwal has denied the charges made by Mr Singh.
Mr Kejriwal together with Gandhian Anna Hazare had championed a movement demanding the introduction of a new anti-corruption law. The draft legislation - called the Lokpal Bill - has been stalled in Parliament. Anna, who is widely respected as an activist, has been estranged from Mr Kejriwal since the latter decided to launch a political party and contest elections.
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