A live television debate in the run-up to Azerbaijan\'s October presidential election ended in a brawl, and police in the oil-producing country opened a criminal case on Sunday against an opposition politician. The opposition Popular Front accused the government in the former Soviet republic of trying to discredit it over the incident. The debate on Saturday became so heated it was taken off the air. Fuad Mustafayev, speaking for the Popular Front\'s presidential candidate, called pro-government contender Hafiz Hadjiyev dishonest. Hadjiyev responded by describing Mustafayev as a \"puppy.\" The brawl began after the two hurled water at each other. \"We have received a complaint from Hadjiyev concerning yesterday\'s incident and consider it necessary to open a criminal case,\" said a police spokesman, adding Mustafayev had not been arrested. A Popular Front spokesman said: \"The government is using illegal methods in its election campaign.\" President Haydar Aliyev is overwhelming favorite to win the election, but the 80-year-old strongman who has dominated Azerbaijan for three decades is in a U.S. hospital receiving treatment for heart and kidney problems. A dozen candidates are standing for president. Six are pro-government, while six are campaigning on behalf of opposition parties. Aliyev\'s opponents accuse the government of trying to oversee a dynastic succession. (Reuters)