Debate between PM and the 'alternative PM'

From news story at link here:

His comments come a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during an interaction with women journalists in New Delhi, said he did not wish to have a television debate with Advani as he did not want to accord Advani the privilege of being “an alternative prime minister”.

So PM Singh has refused Mr Advani a live TV debate.   What is this absurd idea of 'alternative PM'?  Maybe the culture of debate is alien to our ethos!  A TV debate will be better in that both parties will not call each other names on live TV and focus instead on policies and performance.  TV debates will be a good start for our democracy.  It will be much better than second hand news/opinions being dished out  by media every hour.  Note how parliamentary behaviour became more decent after Lok Sabha proceedings were started to be telecast live on TV.

In the meantime, Indians will have to be happy about being largest democarcy, largest elections, largest what not....but without any debates on issues.  And instead have the privilege of watching other countries' leaders debate but not our own....