After Rajeev Chandrasekhar's open debate challenge, Shashi Tharoor's reply

Congress's Shashi Tharoor will square off against BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor on Monday said he is ready to hold a debate with Union minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who is contesting against him from the Kerala constituency.

Earlier, Chandrasekhar had challenged Tharoor for a debate over the development in the region.

"Yes, I welcome a debate. But the people of Thiruvananthapuram are 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 said on X.

He said that he is ready to discuss the development of Thiruvananthapuram and the visible progress it has made in the last 15 years since has been an MP.

Yes, I welcome a debate. But the people of Thiruvananthapuram are aware of who has been evading a debate till now.

Let us debate politics and development.

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Let us debate price hike, unemployment, corruption, communalism and the BJP's 10 years of propagating politics of hatred.… pic.twitter.com/cJTHX5DC7G

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 7, 2024

Thiruvananthapuram, which goes to polls in the second phase on April 26, will see a high-profile clash between Tharoor and Chandrasekhar in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Tharoor has been representing Thiruvananthapuram in the lower house since 2009 and is a three-time MP from the constituency.

Notably, the BJP has never been able to win any seat in Kerala in the Lok Sabha polls.

This will be the first Lok Sabha contest for Chandrashekhar, the Union Minister of State for Information Technology and Skill Development. Meanwhile, Tharoor has been saying this might be his last Lok Sabha fight.

The BJP believes Chandrasekhar, who has family roots in Thrissur, could spring a surprise in Thiruvananthapuram. This move is also seen as the BJP’s southern push.