The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Lok Satta proposes Naidu-YSR face-off

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 04, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Lok Satta proposes Naidu-YSR face-off

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, APRIL 3. The Lok Satta has proposed a series of live televised debates between the leaders of the Telugu Desam and the Congress in front of a small group of 150 to 200 selected audience. The two debates in Telugu to be shown live on all channels across the State, on the lines of those in vogue in the U.S. between the two principal contenders for the presidential elections, would be of 90-minute duration, according to Jayaprakash Narayan, coordinator of the Lok Satta.

He said on Saturday the debates could be tentatively timed between April 15 and 25. They would enable the leaders -- N. Chandrababu Naidu and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy -- to send across their message to voters. The debate would be moderated by a highly credible, soft-spoken, low profile person of eminence. The moderator would be finalised in consultation with both leaders.

In each debate, each participant would have two minutes time for an opening statement and one minute for closing statement. The order would be decided by the draw of lots. Questions would be put to each participant alternatively. Each would be facing equal number of questions. For each question the leader facing it would have 90 seconds to answer, his opponent would have 60 second to counter it. There would be 30 seconds time to the first leader to defend his position. Identical procedure would be followed in respect of the questions put to the other participant.

In the first debate, the moderator would ask questions prepared in advance by a panel of eminent persons. The questions would be kept secret until the debate. There would be in all 24 questions in the first debate— 12 questions addressed to each leader.

The moderator would merely ask questions and not pass any judgment. His role would be strictly limited to rigid control of time and observance of strict code of conduct.

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