New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) candidate from East Delhi Parliamentary constituency Atishi on Thursday accused cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir of distributing hundreds of thousand of pamphlets with objectionable and offensive remarks against her.
Accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Atishi broke down while reading out the contents of the pamphlet to the reporters.
The pamphlet described Atishi as a “prostitute”, “beef eater” and a “very good example of a mixed breed”.
Atishi said she was “extremely pained” to notice the circulation of sleazy document in her constituency.
“This is how Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Gautam Gambhir talks of a woman standing against him in election. I ask how women would feel safe if men like him get elected,” she said.
This is how BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir talks of a woman standing against him in election. I ask how women would feel safe if men like him get elected.
The pamphlet also contained scurrilous personal allegations of a sexual relationship between her and Sisodia.
“The language in the pamphlet is so abusive and low that everybody will feel ashamed while reading it. Allegations have been levelled against both Atishi and me. We never expected Gambhir to stoop so low. This can affect people’s perception about Atishi in the constituency,” Sisodia said.
Atishi had earlier worked as an adviser in education ministry, the portfolio held by Sisodia.
Sisodia said the last line of the pamphlet was a clear indication Gambhir was behind it.
“We assure you that even if AAP and Congress join hands in Delhi, they will not win a single seat,” the last line read.
The pamphlet did not spare AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal either, calling him a “Scheduled Caste” man born of “unlawful parents.”
“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,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Reacting to the allegations, Gambhir dared Kejriwal to prove that the pamphlets were circulated at his behest. He said he would withdraw his candidature if charges against him were proven.
“I abhor your act of outraging a woman’s modesty Arvind Kejriwal and that too your own colleague. It is you who is behind the distribution of these pamphlets in East Delhi constituency. And all this just for winning elections? You are filth Mr CM and someone needs your very own election symbol ‘jhadu’ (broom) to clean your dirty mind,” Gambhir tweeted.
