Ready to debate with Amit Shah: Kejriwal

Kejriwal had challenged Bedi to a public debate prior to the Delhi assembly polls

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said he was ready to debate with BJP president Amit Shah if the party names him its chief ministerial candidate for the February 7 Delhi assembly polls.

Kejriwal, who released the party's manifesto Saturday for the, said if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replaces Kiran Bedi and announces Shah as its chief minister candidate, he will debate him.

"I am ready to debate with Amit Shah if they (BJP) announce him as a chief minister candidate replacing Kiran Bedi," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal had challenged Bedi to a public debate. Bedi accepted the challenge but said she will debate him "on the floor of the assembly" and not during the campaign.

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. A former IPS officer and originally part of India Against Corruption movement, Bedi joined BJP January 15.

Kejriwal will contest from the New Delhi constituency that he wrested in the last elections from the Congress' Sheila Dikshit.