Gambhir Not Game for Debate on Development, Ducks Marlena’s Challenge

The AAP candidate from East Delhi has filed several complaints against the former cricketer with the EC.

New Delhi: Cricketer-politician Gautam Gambhir, who has been fielded by BJP from East Delhi, ducked a challenge from AAP candidate Atishi Marlena. In response to her invite for an open debate, he merely tweeted that he believes in positive politics and the politics of development.

Knowing that engaging Gambhir, a novice in politics, would provide an opportunity to criticise the BJP, Marlena tweeted in response that she was even agreeable to having a debate on development with him.

Earlier, on Monday she had challenged Gambhir to an open debate on the work carried out by the Aam Aadmi Party during its four-year tenure in Delhi and by the BJP during the last five years of Modi rule.

However, Gambhir, like a seasoned batsman, decided to not play her delivery.

Since his initiation into the BJP, Gambhir has been in the news for one reason after another.

As soon as he filed his nomination, AAP alleged that there were “shortcomings” in the documents submitted by him. Marlena said, “The stamp paper which has been furnished is dated April 23, 2019 whereas the notarial stamp on two of his affidavits have a date of April 18 and April 19 respectively.” A complaint was also filed with the Election Commission, but it accepted Gambhir’s nomination after giving him an opportunity to make some changes.

Also read: FIR Against Gautam Gambhir for Holding Public Meeting Without Permission

Marlena then accused Gambhir of possessing two votes and moved a local court to seek directions that a criminal case be lodged against him by the Delhi police.

After this, she again moved the EC, claiming that Gambhir distributed election pamphlets with banned details, such as the printer’s name, being still visible.

Her complaint said: “I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer’s name and quantity in violation of the rules”.

She also told the EC that “this is the third time in a row that Gambhir has violated the MCC. Such continued blatant disregard for the Election Commission is contrary to the spirit of democracy and endangers the free and fair process of elections…Only an exemplary punishment can deter such continued wilful violation”.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir Is Registered as a Voter in Two Constituencies, Claims AAP’s Atishi

Gambhir was earlier also pulled up by EC for conducting a roadshow without the required permission. Finding himself under such a sudden barrage, he clearly has gone on the defensive.

As for the debate around development and education in Delhi, two subjects on which Marlena has expertise, Gambhir’s strategy appears to be to leave the tough answering and questioning to Congress candidate and former Delhi education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely.