‘I can vouch for his integrity’: VVS Laxman backs Gautam Gambhir in Atishi pamphlet row

Putting his weight firmly behind Gambhir, who is BJP’s candidate from East Delhi, VVS Laxman said he can never speak ill about any woman.

After Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman has now come to the aid of former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who was accused by the Aam Aadmi Party of distributing “derogatory” pamphlets against its candidate Atishi.

File image of India cricketer VVS Laxman. (AFP)

Putting his weight firmly behind Gambhir, who is BJP’s candidate from East Delhi, Laxman said Gambhir can never speak ill about any woman and can ‘vouch for the former India cricketer’s integrity’.

Laxman took to social media to support Gambhir and his post read: “Shocked to hear about yesterday’s developments. Having known @GautamGambhir for nearly 2 decades, I can vouch for his integrity, character and the respect he has for women.”

Gambhir, for his part, confirmed on Friday that he has filed a defamation case against AAP leaders.

“I condemn what has happened. I am from a family where I have been taught to respect women. I didn’t know CM Arvind Kejriwal would stoop so low,” the cricketer-turned-politician said on Friday while speaking to news agency ANI. He has also sent a defamation notice to the chief minister and his deputy Manish Sisodia.

AAP’s candidate against Gambhir, Atishi broke down during a press conference on Thursday afternoon as she read out parts of the pamphlet, which AAP alleged was being distributed with newspapers in areas such as Vivek Vihar and Krishna Nagar. The purported pamphlet has derogatory remarks against Atishi and also about deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia.