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"It is ironical that she (Gandhi) has raised such a demand, but she is not prepared for a debate in the House. However, if she wants to come on TV with any panel, she is welcome. We are even ready for a one-on-one debate," party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.
He said the Prasar Bharati was autonomous and took decisions on such matters based on "newsworthiness".
"We also have a complaint against Doordarshan and other channels, which invite one representative from the ruling National Democratic Alliance and three members from the Opposition in all debates," he said.
Defending former Defence Minister George Fernandes' address on Doordarshan, which had come in for criticism from Gandhi, he said, "It is every minister's right to explain his resignation in Parliament, but as he was not allowed to do so, he had to throw light on the issue before the people."
"If they want a debate, let them do so in Parliament and this could be telecast live," the spokesman said.
Gandhi had written a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, criticising the "misuse" of DD by Fernandes and demanding similar opportunities for her party to express its views on the Tehelka expose.
PTI
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