Gautam Gambhir Election Controversies: All That We Know So Far

AAP leader Atishi has been at the forefront of levelling allegations against her East Delhi rival, Gautam Gambhir.

BJP’s East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir. 

(Photo: PTI)

It has only been a few days since cricketer Gautam Gambhir joined the BJP and was announced as the party's candidate from the East Delhi constituency. Though he has been in the limelight ever since, a lot of it has been for the wrong reasons. There have been a barrage of complaints that have poured in against him in the last one week.

Here's a brief overview of all that has has happened so far:

The Two Voter IDs Controversy

First, on 25 April, Gambhir's East Delhi rival and AAP leader Atishi filed a criminal complaint against him alleging that he possessed two voter IDs and failed to disclose this in his election affidavit while filing his nomination. The Tis Hazari court is set to hear the matter on 1 May. Meanwhile, the Delhi's chief electoral officer said on Monday that they have not received any complaint in this regard it, and will initiate an inquiry once that happens.

Gambhir has responded to this voter ID controversy saying he has only one such ID from Rajender Nagar, while slamming the Aam Aadmi Party for having "no vision".

The Rally Controversy

Second, on 27 April, a case was filed against Gambhir for holding a rally without permission in the capital's Jangpura locality two days earlier. The complaint was filed by the East Delhi Returning Officer, and AAP's Atishi was also quick to jump on the issue to slam her rival.

Request for Ban on Campaigning

Lastly, on 28 April, Atishi once again raised her objections on Gambhir with a letter to the East Delhi Returning Officer asking for banning him from campaigning for three days in light of repeated violations of the poll code. She also alleged that Gambhir had held another rally in Dilshad Garden without permission.

Summing it up, with elections in Delhi all set to be held on 12 May, the Gambhir controversy episode clearly indicates the fierce rivalries that are in the fray.