Chandigarh, Oct 19 : The Congress Monday accepted a challenge by ruling Akali Dal president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to have a debate on the issue of development in the state.

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira has asked Badal to intimate the date, time and venue for the debate.

"After having read your statement regarding an open challenge to a debate on the issue of development of Punjab, the Congress has in principle decided to accept your challenge. Therefore, the ball is in your court to convey to us the time, date and venue," Khaira, a young legislator from Bholath in Kapurthala district, said in a letter to Badal sent Monday.

Khaira defeated former Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur in February 2007.

"The Congress also challenges to widen the sphere of discussion from development to political vendetta, mal-administration, family misrule, forcible takeover of transport, cable network, sand quarrying, liquor and all other issues related to Punjab that you would like to include," Khaira said in the letter.

Sukhbir Badal, the son of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sunday challenged the Punjab Congress leadership to a public debate on the issue of development.

The Congress has accused the Badal government of putting Punjab in a financial, social and law and order mess with a Rs. 63,000 crore debt, over Rs. 4,233 revenue deficit, rising crime - especially attacks and cases against Congress workers. (IANS)