India, March 31 -- With days left for the crucial Assembly elections, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday accepted Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan's challenge for a public debate, intensifying the political heat ahead of the April 9 polls.

A day after Satheesan threw the challenge, Vijayan, in a social media post, shared what he described as the LDF Government's "report card" and said the debate could be held based on its listed achievements. Highlighting what he termed an "A-plus" performance of his Government, the chief minister asked whether the opposition was ready to engage on those points.

Soon after, Satheesan said he was prepared to participate in the debate at a time and venue decided by the chief minister. "Now ...