JOIN US Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday challenged his rival and BJP prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi to an open debate on issues concerning the people of Varanasi, the constituency from where both the leaders are contesting.
In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the AAP said: “Kejriwal requested Modi to choose a convenient venue and time to have a debate in public, so that people can ask questions to both candidates about their agenda and vision.”
The party alleged that Modi, his Gujarat government and the BJP had so far avoided any public debate on issues and questions raised by Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP.
“Whether it be the falsehoods about the so-called faulty development model of Gujarat, or the issues concerning the people of Varanasi, Modi and his party have been running away from any debate or discussion since they are afraid of being exposed,” said the statement.
“The BJP has consistently indulged in attacking AAP leaders and volunteers with the sole aim of trying to silence their criticism, in which they have failed miserably so far,” it said.
The party also criticised Modi and the BJP for politicising the Ganga Arti. “As a citizen, any individual can participate in this holy event and the AAP is of the view that the BJP unnecessarily politicised this issue to create a needless controversy.” “It appears BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Amit Shah deliberately attempted to mislead media and the people of Varanasi on the issue of Ganga Arti,” it alleged.