Finally a neutral moderator for Kejriwal-Bedi debate
The high profile electoral contest between Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal and BJP’s Kiran Bedi just got a lot more high profile. In a coup of sorts, a consortium of journalists, political pundits and the Election Commission, have managed to convince US President Barack Obama to moderate the debate between Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal.
“Well, we started off trying to find a neutral moderator to conduct a televised debate between Kejriwal, Bedi and that third chap from that other party… what’s his name… yeah, Maken,” said Chief Election Commissioner, HS Brahma. “But we simply couldn’t find any journalist or celebrity who is neutral enough. Then we decided to hold a debate among potential moderators to identify a possible anchor, but then we couldn’t find a neutral moderator for that debate either,” said Brahma, throwing up his hands.
“Arnab sent us a long letter pitching for the role, claiming that he’s an equal opportunity screamer who shouts down everyone regardless of their party affiliation, but he wasn’t an option because the debate will just end with him calling every participant pathetic,” Brahma added.
“That’s when we thought – why not Obama? He’s a big name, eloquent and definitely way more neutral than most of the chaps we have. And he’s coming down anyway. We sent his team an email asking if the President would like some timepass, they said yes, and voila! We have our neutral moderator!” Brahma exclaimed. “Now all that is left is to convince Kiran Bedi to participate.”
According to sources, US security agencies and their Indian counterparts are already working on the details to ensure that the event goes off smoothly. Citing security reasons, the President’s security team has refused to use Indian filming equipment. Instead cameras, studio lights, chairs, desks, lapel microphones will be flown in from the US.
During the filming of the debate, secret service agents and American sharpshooters will take positions at multiple vantage points in and around the studio. “No one, not even Kiran Bedi, will be allowed to leave the debate before it concludes. And any potential threat to POTUS, including that of Arvind Kejriwal labelling him a corrupt moderator in the pockets of Ambani, will be immediately neutralized,” said a US security official.