"I accept the challenge, will do it in the assembly. Arvind Kejriwal has only been debating, I believe in delivering," said Bedi.
BJP's Chief Ministerial nominee Kiran Bedi on Tuesday dodged AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal's challenge for an open debate on crucial issues facing the city while Congress' Ajay Maken expressed readiness for such a "healthy" exercise in the run up to the assembly polls.
Throwing the challenge to Bedi, Kejriwal said such a debate will be a "good initiative" as people will know about plans and policies of the two main parties for the city which will help them in understanding various issues.
65-year-old Bedi, who had joined BJP last week and was named its chief ministerial nominee last night, said she "accepted" the challenge but will only debate with him on the floor of Delhi Assembly and not during the campaign.
"I accept the challenge. I will do it in the Assembly and before that I am focusing on delivery rather than on debates because that's what he's been doing. He's only been debating.
What I am doing is delivery of goals, services, programmes," said Bedi.
She further said that she had blocked Kejriwal from her Twitter account after he had called himself an anarchist.
Meanwhile, taking it to micro blogging site, AAP convener Kejriwal had accused Bedi of blocking him on Twitter and invited the former IPS officer for a public debate.
In a series of tweets, tagging Bedi, Kejriwal wrote, "Kiranji, I used to follow you on Twitter. Now, u have blocked me on twitter. Kindly unblock me."
In another tweet, Kejriwal congratulated Bedi and invited her for a public debate. Kejriwal added, "Congrats 4 being nominated as BJP's CM candidate. I invite u 4 a public debate moderated by neutral person n telecast by all."
Also read: Amit Shah's masterstroke to rope in Kiran Bedi - Can Kejriwal survive the onslaught?
When told that Congress' Maken has also welcomed the move, Bedi, who will contest from BJP's traditional stronghold of Krishna Nagar in East Delhi, retorted, "While they are into drama, I am focused on work. These two have been indulging in drama. They have been doing it together also. I am focusing on work at this point."
Both Kejriwal and Bedi were part of the anti-corruption movement led by activist Anna Hazare before the AAP chief decided to form his own political party.
Bedi will contest from Krishna Nagar seat in East Delhi. Former IPS officer and originally part of India Against Corruption movement, Kiran Bedi had joined BJP on January 15.
In 2013 assembly elections BJP had won 31 seats, AAP 28 and Congress 8.
Delhi has been under President’s Rule since February after the AAP government quit after ruling for 49 days last year.
Also read: Kiran Bedi talks to Zee Media about her future plans to develop Delhi
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