Gambhir demands proof as Atishi blames him for obscene pamphlets

New Delhi: BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir demanded the proof from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for accusing him of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against AAP leader Atishi. He also challenged the Delhi Chief Minister to quit if he failed to give the proof against Gambhir.

"If they can get a proof, I'll resign right now and if they get a proof by 23rd, I'll resign on that particular day. But if Arvind Kejriwal does not get the proof, does he accept the challenge that he will leave politics forever on 23rd?" asked Gautam Gambhir.

He added, "I will definitely file a defamation case against them. You can not tarnish someone's image just like that if you don't have the proof. I have never given a negative statement against anyone so far in my election campaigning."

"I abhor your act of outraging a woman's modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? U r filth Mr CM and someone needs ur very own broom to clean ur dirty mind," he said in his tweets.

"My Challenge no.2 @ArvindKejriwal @AtishiAAP I declare that if its proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will u quit politics?"

"I feel ashmed to have a CM like Arvind Kejriwal," Gambhir added in a series of tweets.

AAP candidate from East Delhi parliamentary constituency Atishi Marlena on Thursday broke down at a press conference here accusing BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against her.

Gambhir, who is contesting against Atishi in the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat rubbished the allegation saying if it is proved he would quit from the election.

"They have shown how low they can stoop. Pamphlet states that 'she is a very good example of a mixed breed'," Atishi said at the press conference in which was accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

Sisodia accused the cricketer-turned-politician of distributing pamphlets in an attempt to defame Atishi.

"Language in this pamphlet, distributed in East Delhi, is so abusive and low that everybody will feel ashamed while reading it. This letter with derogatory remarks is distributed by Gautam Gambhir to make himself win. We never, in our worst dream, had thought that he (Gambhir) would stoop to this low to win polls," Sisodia said.

"I have only one question for Gautam Gambhir. If he is doing this against one woman, what about the lakhs of women in east Delhi who are worried about their safety," Atishi said.

In a tweet, Arvind Kejriwal raised similar questions: "How can women expect safety if people with such mentality are voted in? Atishi, stay strong. I can imagine how difficult it must be for you. It is precisely this kind of forces we have to fight against."

Earlier, Atishi had accused Gambhir of possessing two voter ID cards.

Gambhir, rubbished the allegation and implied that AAP had concocted the allegations to win. He declared that he was "ashamed" to have a Chief Minister like Arvind Kejriwal and said if AAP proved its accusation, he would opt out of the election.

 

Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading.