AAP sends legal notice to BJP and Gautam Gambhir demanding an immediate apology to Atishi Marlena

The AAP Friday sent a notice to the BJP and its East Delhi Lok Sabha seat candidate Gautam Gambhir demanding an apology for the derogatory pamphlet allegedly circulated against Atishi Marlena, failing which "appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated".

Filed by advocate Mohammad Irsad, from the legal cell of the AAP, the notice termed the pamphlets "offending publication" and alleged that those were published by Gambhir and the BJP.

After Gautam Gambhir Files Defamation Suit, AAP's Atishi Marlena Doesn't Back Down; Moves DCW Against BJP Opponent Over Alleged 'derogatory Pamphlet' Distribution

The notice demanded that both Gambhir and BJP render immediate "apology to the client (AAP), its leaders and candidate".

The AAP said the apology should be handed over to it personally in writing by BJP and Gambhir as well as should be printed in newspapers within 24 hours of receiving of the notice, failing which "appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated".

The legal notice states that the pamphlets indicated that Atishi "is a person of dubious origin" and had indulged in "impermissible activities of a nature at her workplace". It also claimed that the pamphlets were a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

East Delhi AAP candidate Atishi Thursday broke down while reading a pamphlet containing "obscene and derogatory" remarks against her that she alleged has been distributed in the constituency by her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir, a charge denied by the cricketer-turned-politician.

"Today how low can he and his party stoop, he and his party has shown. This is a pamphlet which BJP people and Gautam Gambhir have distributed in my entire Lok Sabha, different complexes and media. Now when put this pamphelet in front of the media, then the entire country should know what kind of politics is being played in our country, especially against a woman. A person like me did not enter into politics because I wanted fame and money," she said while addressing the media.

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Later on Thursday, Gambhir sent a notice to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and Atishi demanding that they withdraw the allegation and tender an unconditional apology over the matter.

The cricket fraternity has come in support to Gautam Gambir with senior cricketers Harbhajan Singh and VVS Laxman tweeting saying ' Gambhir can never disrepect women.'

 On Friday, Gambhir has openly challenged Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Keriwal to quit politics if he is unable to prove the charges he had made against him. BJP's Gautam Gambhir will face AAP's Atish Marlena for the East Delhi constituency which goes to polls on May 12.

(With PTI inputs)