It may be mentioned here that the SAD-BJP-BSM candidate for the Patiala Lok Sabha seat, Surjit Singh Dhaliwal of Rakhra, had yesterday challenged his opponents for an open debate on any issue.

Reacting to the challenge, Parneet Kaur, in a statement issued from her election office today, said she was ready for an open debate, but only with a seasoned politician who knew something about Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiat.

While advising Rakhra to exercise restraint while speaking at his rallies, she said she was surprised at the statement made by him despite the fact that he had stayed in India, especially Punjab, only between his foreign trips and knew nothing about the politics of the state. But she said she challenged AISAD chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra to an open debate on any issue concerning the state.

According to a statement issued by Parneet Kaur's election office, the candidate today toured Sular, Zhil, Baran, Rathkheri, Lung, Lachkani, Hirdaipur and Kalyan villages and got an overwhelming response from the people. She was also weighed against coins in village Sular, in a function organised by Hardyal Singh Kambij, district president of the rural unit of the Congress committee.

The release also claimed that Sant Ram Singla, a dissident Congress leader, also joined the election campaign and toured the villages with Parneet Kaur today.