Shashi Tharoor accepts Rajeev Chandrasekhar's challenge for open debate

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the challenge for an open debate with Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who seeks to win over voters in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, a constituency held by Tharoor for three straight terms.

Speaking to the media recently, Chandrasekhar said he's ready to debate ideas concerning the development of the constituency, and the track record of the Congress and the BJP governments.

Responding to the open challenge, Tharoor said on X that he would welcome a debate, and that the people of Thiruvananthapuram were aware of "who has been evading a debate till now."

"Let us debate politics and development. Let us debate price hike, unemployment, corruption, communalism and the BJP's 10 years of propagating politics of hatred," Tharoor wrote.

Exuding confidence over what he's achieved in the region he's represented since 2009, Tharoor said, "Let us also discuss about the development of Thiruvananthapuram and the visible progress we have made in last 15 years."

Thiruvananthapuram is a prestige battle for Congress, and for Tharoor in particular, who has been out on the campaign trail engaging with his constituents.

Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Information Technology and Skill Development at the Centre, is leaving no stone unturned for his debut Lok Sabha contest.

Kerala will vote in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 26. Results will be declared on June 4.