Chandigarh, 25 September(Wishav Warta): Releasing a statement here today, Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira welcomed the challenge thrown by Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar for an open public debate on the current political situation of the state as well as Gurdaspur. Khaira said, his party gladly accepts the challenge of Sunil Jakhar and leaves the choice of leader, place and time to him. Khaira stated Jakhar could pick any leader to debate with from amongst our state president Bhagwant Mann MP, Major General Suresh Khajuria AAP candidate from Gurdaspur or if he wishes he can have a debate with me as well.
Khaira further stated that his party is a votary of clean electoral politics sans money power, drugs and muscle power. Khaira said that he has repeatedly announced that his party would neither hold big rallies nor splurge money in any manner to vow the voters of Gurdaspur. He said that it was a good sign if the Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar also stands for the same values. Khaira said there is no point wasting crores of rupees to pollute the already thoroughly polluted electoral system o the country, hence holding public debates through the media on the pattern of developed countries would only strengthen our democracy.
Khaira while setting the agenda for the debate said that the burning issues of farmer suicides, unemployment, rampant corruption, drug abuse, complete breakdown of the law and order etc. in Punjab need to be debated threadbare. Similarly, the failures of Modi government which include slow down in the growth rate of India, frivolous demonetisation, his failure to bring back black money stashed in foreign countries, gross discrimination with Punjab by extending for ten more years the industrial tax holiday package for the hill states of HP, J&K etc. also needs to be debated.
Therefore, Khaira said he hoped Sunil Jakhar will keep his promise for an open debate on the above stated burning issues of Punjab and the nation and that he will not shy away or go back on his words like the routine politicians of his party and our country. Khaira said that he leaves the choice of time, place and the leader he wants to debate with, to MJakhar.
