Will our politicians have the guts to take on each other in a public debate like the US presidential candidates?

In the second such debate that was televised live across the world, two opponents met on a common turf to thrash out issues and prove who the stronger candidate was, to become the President of the United States of America, something that will shape global policies and decisions of governments worldwide. Both the candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain had their opportunity to talk on various issues, something that tested their skill and knowledge of world affairs, matters of the economy and other such issues. It was 'civilised', to be to the point.

And to be a part of the debate needs 'guts'. These debates tests the skills and seeks to bring out the real person. This sort of also helps people make up their minds if the person they are going to vote for in the November elections has the stuff to be a good leader, a leader who can take tough decisions.

Now, think...Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa on a platform like this. Or Sonia Gandhi and Vajpayee, Advani...Amar Singh and Mayawati, Buddhadeb Bhattarcharya and Mamta Banerjee on one platform debating. Hehe...even hard to fathom what I have written, right? These are leaders who during press conferences and public meetings dare their political opponents for a public debate knowing fully well that it will never happen. They are so courageous to dare their opponents because they know that the political system in India is so entrenched with regionalism, language, casteism, corruption that the people will not be able to accept such a debate. In case such a debate does take place and one loses, then all the theories that the debate was a political conspiracy, against a particular caste, will crop up. These are just a few options that I can think of. The politicians will easily come up with the most ridiculous ideas.

Probably the day our politicians come onto a common forum and start debating and discussing issues, is the day India will move forward. But that day, atleast to me, seems far far far far away.