The hallmark of the US presidential election is thehead-to-head televised debate between the key contenders. The premierepresidential debate between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican McCain drew anestimated 42.4 million TV viewers. The debate enables the electorate to gaugewhere the two candidates stand on decisive issues, who scores over whom inpower of articulation and debating skills and who carries greater conviction asthe next CEO of the nation.

In India, there is nothing called a prime ministerial debate on the televisionin the run-up to the elections. One reason is, TV was not as popular amass medium in India as it was in the United States till very recently.Secondly, the big chunk of India's electorate lives in villages where TV haslittle penetration. So the TV impacts essentially the urban and semi-urbanvoters and as a campaign medium, it gets low priority in the scheme of thingsof politicians targeting the rural audience.

But that is no reason to downplay the significance of L K Advani's publicinvitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to engage in a TV debate with him.If both agree to a debate, it will be the biggest media event of thetime. Such a debate will be keenly looked forward to by the nation. Forthe TV channel which manages to get the two prime ministerial candidates for alive debate, it will be the scoop of the decade. The advertisers will jump atthe opportunity and the channel can reap big sponsorship moolah from the event.

Imagine what hysteria it can create. A combative Advani quizzing Singh on whathe did to prevent 26/11, why Singh is shying away from contesting an electionand a shrewd Singh asking Advani what he did to prevent Babri masjid demolitionand why he let off powerful terrorists in the Kandahar episode.

Once Advani and Manmohan finally agree to come face-to-face on TV, it willenhance the quality of debate in Indian politics. The two stalwarts couldset new standards for political debate in the country. It will instantaneously cast a spell on national and regional leaders. They will be compelled to holdsimilar TV debates and clear the air about themselves and the parties theyrepresent. The TV channels should involve the public in such debates. Thevoters should get a chance to grill the candidates. The leaders will no longerbe able to get away with hollow promises and baseless allegations against theiropponents. There will be greater transparency in election campaign. There willbe greater clarity about issues at stake. There will be greater politicalaccountability. Voters will be able to exercise better judgement in choosingtheir representatives. And the people may finally get the government theydeserve.

In hindsight, a Advani-Manmohan debate would do signal service to Indiandemocracy. Advani has taken the plunge. Will Manmohan heed the call ofhistory?