New Delhi, May 7: The East Delhi returning officer on Tuesday sent a notice to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for allegedly violating the model code of conduct with his tweet on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Atishi's religion. Manish Sisodia has been asked to submit his response by 5 pm tomorrow. Sisodia had warned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress to beware of Atishi because "she is a Rajputani".

"I am sad that the BJP and Congress together are spreading lies about the religion of our East Delhi candidate," said Sisodia in a tweet. "The BJP and Congress men! Be aware that her full name is Atishi Singh. She is a Rajputani. A hardcore Kshatrani... the Queen of Jhansi. Beware! She will win and create history too,” Sisodia added in his tweet. The Deputy CM's tweet was an attempt to defend Atishi who was facing diatribes allegedly involving her religion.

Atishi restored her surname Marlena in her affidavit and nomination paper to the Election Commission. However, she had dropped her surname last year, fearing its misuse by political adversaries. Sisodia came to the rescue of Atishi, who is contesting from the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, after former Okhla Congress MLA Asif Khan dubbed Atishi as a Jew and asked Muslims not to vote for her. AAP Denies Asking Atishi Marlena to Drop Her 'Christian-Sounding' Surname.

“Hindu-Muslim-Sikh Issai (Christian) Bhai Bhai but not a Yahudi. A Jew has no place in India,” he is heard, purportedly saying in a video message. Khan is also reported to have told a poll campaign meeting in East Delhi that Jews have no place in India and the people have to send this message to every household. "You may vote AAP, you may cast your vote for broom. But if you vote for a Jew, I will mind it," he is reported to have said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2019 04:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).