Gautam Gambhir on pamphlet row: 'Will hang myself in public if AAP proves allegations'

BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir on Friday said he will "hang" himself in public if the Aam Aadmi Party can prove that he has any link to the derogatory pamphlet allegedly circulated against Atishi, his AAP rival from East Delhi Lok Sabha seat.

AAP's Atishi, BJP's Gautam Gambhir and Congress' Arvinder Singh Lovely have locked horns in a triangular contest in the East Delhi constituency.

NEW DELHI: BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir on Friday said he will "hang" himself in public if the Aam Aadmi Party can prove that he has any link to the derogatory pamphlet allegedly circulated against Atishi, his AAP rival from East Delhi Lok Sabha seat. If the AAP fails to prove the allegations, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should quit politics, Gambhir demanded. "Challenger Number 3 to @ArvindKejriwal and @aap. If he can prove that I have anything to do with this pamphlet filth, then I will hang myself in public. Otherwise @ArvindKejriwal should quit politics. Accepted?" Gambhir tweeted.

Challenger Number 3 to @ArvindKejriwal and @aap. If he can prove that I have anything to do with this pamphlet filth, then I will hang myself in public. Otherwise @ArvindKejriwal should quit politics. Accepted?

— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 10, 2019

The BJP also approached East Delhi parliamentary seat returning officer K Mahesh seeking a police probe into the accusations against Gambhir in connection with alleged circulation of obscene pamphlets targeting Atishi. The complaint was lodged by BJP's Krishna Nagar councillor Sandeep Kapoor with the district magistrate and returning officer of East Delhi seeking a police probe in the matter, said Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana. The returning officer has already asked the police to register a complaint in this case. Also, Gambhir has sent a defamation notice to Atishi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on the controversy over derogatory pamphlets. he nine-page legal notice dated May 9 demands immediate withdrawal of each statement made against Gambhir and denies that the former cricketer had any relation with the alleged pamphlet. "It is categorically and vehemently denied that our client has any relation to the alleged pamphlet or the deplorable contents contained therein which have been referred to ... in the statements made in the press conference on May 9 and subsequent tweets on social media with utter malafide and ulterior motives." The notice said that it was alleged "in a calculated and coordinated manner, wrongly and erroneously ... that the pamphlets have been distributed by our client or at his behest". The allegations had been made in view the elections on Sunday, it said. Atishi on Thursday accused Gambhir of distributing pamphlets that questioned her morals and had objectionable and deeply offensive remarks about her. Reading out the contents of the pamphlet, Atishi broke down twice at a press conference and said she was very pained on seeing it. She asked how women would feel safe if men like Gambhir get elected. In East Delhi, Gambhir is pitted against against Atishi and Congress candidate Arvinder Singh Lovely. (With inputs from agencies)