New Delhi, June 10: Former JNU students' union leader Shehla Rashid was reverted with a threat to be sued for defamation after she accused Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, along with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of "plotting to assassinate" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Responding to Rashid's startling tweet, Gadkari on social media said he would sue those "anti-social elements" who are making such bizarre claims. The BJP veteran was responded to by Rashid, claiming her erstwhile social media post was "sarcastic".

The controversy on Twitter erupted on Saturday, after Rashid said the RSS, along with Gadkari, will use the PM's murder as a pretext to "lynch" Muslims across the nation. To this, Gadkari replied saying such "anti-social elements" should be prepared to face a defamation suit. Rashid, however, struck back questioning why he was getting "worked up" by a single tweet.

Here is the sequence of remarks exchanged between them:

Gadkari responds:

Rashid retaliates:

The alleged plot to assassinate Modi was unearthed by Pune police earlier in the week after they retrieved a letter from apprehended activist Rona Wilson's residence in Delhi. The letter, allegedly sent by the CPI (Maoists), said it is necessary to eliminate PM Modi as he has "won 15 states for the BJP". If this continues, the letter reportedly adds, the naxal operations would cease to exist.

Wilson, along with four others, was arrested by the Pune police for his role in the 'Elgar Parishad' -- the event held on December 31 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Mahar regiment's victory over Peshwa forces -- and the subsequent riots which broke out in Bhima-Koregaon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2018 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).