Pamphlet row: Gambhir sends defamation notice to Atishi, Sisodia, Kejriwal
An obscene pamphlet has taken the center stage in Delhi politics, and with every day the accusations and counter-accusations are becoming stronger. On Thursday, Aam Aadmi Party alleged that BJP's candidate for East Delhi, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, was distributing demeaning pamphlets against Atishi. Soon, Gambhir rubbished the claims, and he has now sent a defamation notice to AAP leaders. Here's what happened.
Backstory: Atishi broke down while reading the contents of pamphlet
Atishi, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, held a press conference in which the duo alleged Gambhir was running a smear campaign against her. The Oxford alumnus broke down while reading the casteist and sexist slurs. Atishi was referred to as "prostitute" in the pamphlet and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was called a "dog". Kejriwal tweeted he never expected this from Gambhir.
Soon, Gambhir fumed at Kejriwal for dragging his name
Subsequently, Gambhir took to Twitter to slam AAP leaders and claimed that he wasn't involved in any way. Calling Kejriwal a "filth", he wrote, "I abhor your act of outraging a woman's modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? (sic)" The world cup winning cricketer also said he would withdraw his candidature if the claims are proved.
After dismissing allegations, Gambhir took the legal route
In a late night development, Gambhir sent a legal notice to Sisodia, Kejriwal, and Atishi demanding their "unconditional apology". "In the event, you noticees (AAP leaders) fail to comply with the above (apology), we have specific instructions from our client (Gambhir) to initiate legal proceedings, both civil and criminal," the notice read. Gambhir alleged AAP wanted to manipulate the mindset of voters.
The notice referred to social media posts of AAP leaders
"The Noticees vide the statements in the press conference and on social media websites ('impugned statement') have in a calculated and coordinated manner, wrongly and erroneously alleged that these pamphlets have been distributed by our client/ or at his behest," the notice added.
Gambhir is willing to 'give in writing' BJP wasn't involved
Separately, Gambhir told NDTV that AAP leaders were the ones who circulated the pamphlets. "I don't know where that pamphlet has come from. It has been there for a long time...tactics on how to malign someone's image," he said. He claimed he can give in writing that no one from BJP was involved in this act. Gambhir said he was "ashamed" of Kejriwal.
If Kejriwal proves allegations, I will leave politics: Gambhir
The 37-year-old star cricketer also said he had five women in his family and he knows how important it is to respect them. He dared Kejriwal to prove the allegations by saying, "If some say I can't withdraw from the case now, then even if I win, I will resign on the first day. Will Kejriwal accept the same challenge?"
Gambhir said he has always played a fair game
"Do you know why good people don't come to politics? Because people like Kejriwal are present. I was taught that even if it is the World Cup Final, even when the whole country is on one side, you play a fair game," said Gambhir.
