Mamata's nephew sues Modi for gunda' jibe, seeks apology within 36 hours

Kolkata: A day before seeking his relection West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee has sent a defamation notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly calling him “Gunda” and threatening to “lock his office” after the Lok Sabha Election results during his May 15 rally at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas. Asking Mr Modi to prove his claims the young Trinamul MP of Diamond Harbour also demanded the PM to tender an unconditional apology in next 36 hours.

The letter, sent by his lawyer Sanjay Basu to the PM on Saturday, states, “Your speech, punctuated by false, malicious,and defamatory content, was an embodiment of political calculation and mischievous intent. Your imputations were deliberate and mala fide, perpetrated through thinly-veiled references of ‘Bhatija’ (nephew) and ‘Didi’ while being fully aware that Mamata Banerjee is referred to as ‘Didi’ and my client himself is the only nephew of the said Banerjee who is involved in public life and is the sitting MP from Diamond Harbour.”

Describing Mr Modi’s allegations as “slanderous, malicious and false,” the letter argued, “In your speech, you referred to my client as a ‘Gunda’ or ‘goon’. Such statements, other than being attempts to deceive the public through rhetoric, are hardly appropriate for a person holding your position. My client denies all your claims and challenges you to provide proof of such deliberate misstatements.”

The letter also claimed that Mr Modi had threatened to lock Abhishek’s office after the results of Lok Sabha elections are announced. “In the event an unconditional apology is not issued to my client within 36 hours of receipt of this notice, my client will be constrained to initiate appropriate proceedings against you in accordance with the laws of this country without any further notice.

The aforesaid is without prejudice to my client’s other rights and contentions,” it added.