Prime Minister David Cameron "is right to be nervous" about the Scottish independence referendum, according to Alex Salmond.
The referendum is "the most empowering story in history", the SNP leader told Sky News' Murnaghan show.
Mr Salmond repeated his challenge for a televised debate with the Prime Minister, insisting Better Together leader Alistair Darling has now "withdrawn from the campaign" by refusing to do any more televised debates.
Yesterday, Mr Cameron admitted he is "nervous" about the referendum, after the results of the first poll since a second televised debate showed the No campaign's lead was cut in half, to just six points.
Mr Salmond said: "He's right to be nervous, because on the official polls the Yes vote is 48% and rising.
"A huge number, hundreds of thousands of Labour supporters, are now supporting Yes in this campaign.
"The Yes support is rising. We're still behind, we're still the underdogs, we've still got a distance to travel but if we're making the Prime Minister nervous then we are doing something right."
He added: "Hundreds of thousands of people who have never been interested in politics in their lives before are now engaged in the most engaging, participative and empowering debate in political history.
"180,000 people who have never voted before are registering to vote in this referendum, and incidentally they're not registering to vote No.
"This is the most empowering story in history, certainly in Scottish history and I suspect in European history."
Mr Salmond continued: "Isn't it significant that Alistair Darling refused to do a debate on Sky television.
"He's not doing any more debates. He's withdrawn from the campaign.
"I would like him to be replaced by the real leader of the No campaign - David Cameron, the Prime Minister.
"Why won't he do a debate on Sky television with me as First Minister?"
Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan confirmed that Sky would welcome a debate between the two leaders.
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