Didn't comment against Savarkar, says Shiv Sena MP on defamation suit against BJP leaders

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday informed that she has sent legal notices to Ashish Shelar and Atul Bhatkalkar, both BJP leaders, and singer Bharat Balvalli, for 'spreading lies' about her comments on Savarkar. They are attempting to defame both her and the party, she alleged. Chaturvedi further sought an apology from the three and added that she would initiate criminal and civil defamation proceedings against them if they failed to do so.

The Shiv Sena leader took to Twitter to elaborate that she did not make any comment against Savarkar, but Shelar claimed at a press conference that she insulted the right-wing ideologue. Shelar's false accusations have led to her loss of reputation, she said.

"I have sent a legal notice for defamation through my lawyers to @ShelarAshish @BhatkhalkarA and Bharat Balvalli for spreading deliberate lies in a bid to defame me, malign me and my party @ShivSena. They must unconditionally apologise for this shameless attempt at maligning," Chaturvedi tweeted.

Responding to the development, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said that he reveres Savarkar and is ready to face ten more legal notices by the likes of Chaturvedi. "She has sent a legal notice to my party colleagues and me because we criticised her. We will respond to her notice with our legal representation. We are ready to face 10 more legal notices as we revere late Savarkar," the BJP leader said. He further added that the party would continue to stress on her alleged statements against Savarkar on multiple platforms.