BJP leader files complaint against journalist Rana Ayyub over tweet on Kovind

Reacting to the announcement of Kovind’s name as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee for the presidential election, Ayyub had tweeted “And you thought Pratibha Patil was the worst bet”.

A Delhi BJP leader has filed a police complaint alleging that journalist Rana Ayyub had posted a “defamatory, hate-filled and derogatory” tweet in referring to NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.

Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind (C) gestures as he leaves his residence in New Delhi on June 20, 2017. (AFP Photo)

In her complaint submitted to Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik as well as Barakhamba Road police station, Delhi BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma demanded action against Ayyub under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Reacting to the announcement of Kovind’s name as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee for the presidential election, Ayyub had tweeted “And you thought Pratibha Patil was the worst bet”.

The defiant journalist retorted to the police complaint against her, saying the BJP needed to do something better to “intimidate” her.

“Can somebody please advice BJP spokies that if they need to intimidate, at least come up with better ones. I insist!” she tweeted in response to the complaint by Sharma.

Police said they are looking into the complaint.