Gambhir challenges Kejriwal to prove charges or leave politics, says will file defamation

Challenging Aam Aadmi Party chief to prove the allegations levelled against him, BJP's East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir on Thursday asserted that he will be filing a defamation case against AAP leaders for "tarnishing" his image by alleging that he had made defamatory pamphlets against his rival Aatishi.

Gambhir's comments came hours after he was accused of circulating pamphlets with derogatory and casteist remarks against his rival candidate Atishi Marlena.

"If they can get proof, I will resign right now and if they get a proof by May 23 I will resign on that particular day. But if Delhi chief minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal do not get the proof, will he accept the challenge and leave politics forever on 23rd?," Gambhir told ANI.

He also threatened to file a defamation case on the issue and said, "I will definitely file a defamation case against them. You cannot 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."

Earlier in the day, Delhi's deputy chief minister Sisodia had 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 had said.

AAP chief Kejriwal also reiterated the charges and 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," he had tweeted.

Gambhir and Atishi are in a three-cornered battle along with Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely from the east-Delhi parliamentary constituency which will go to polls on May 9.