Lucknow, May 21 (IANS): Renowned folk singer and Padma awardee, Malini Awasthi, has served a defamation notice to Gaurav Pandhi, the national coordinator of digital communications and social media in the Congress, for allegedly tarnishing her image.

The notice has been served on her behalf by her lawyer Namit Saxena.

Gaurav Pandhi had tweeted that Malini Awasthi gets programmes and shows from the government because of her bureaucrat husband.

"Either you give proof of it or be prepared to face legal action. Long drawn struggle and sacrifice of an artiste spanning over the past 48 years is being nullified by disgusting politics and the Congress has stooped to this level. My husband's honesty and integrity are impeccable and sets precedence for others," she tweeted back earlier.

Malini dared the Congress IT cell man to first check his facts to ascertain that she had been getting prime stage programmes even before her marriage in the mid-80s.

"I had been a radio artist much before my marriage and performed on stages and other shows simply for my talent and hard work. It's the same Congress party which had been led by many women leaders and fought for women's rights. But unfortunately, now it is indulging in disgusting politics of attacking my husband, when it has failed politically," she added.

Malini said that she had been invited abroad by various private institutions and governments which are not controlled by the state government.

"It stands a testimony to my image as an independent performer and an artiste," she said.

She received instant support from Congress spokesperson Sharmistha Mukherjee, who is the daughter of former president Pranab Mukherjee. Sharmistha tweeted in her support.