In a development, which could affect the Aam Aadmi Party’s poll campaign in Goa, the Election Commission of India on Sunday directed the State Chief Electoral Officer to file a First Information Report against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his comments earlier this week, asking voters to accept money from rival parties and vote for his instead.
Official sources told The Pioneer that poll officials in Goa had been directed to file the FIR and report compliance to the ECI by January 31. “As directed we will be filing the FIR on Monday,” the officials said.
On January 8, Kejriwal in his campaign speeches in four different election rallies in Goa, where the AAP is contesting all 40 Assembly seats, had asked voters to accept money from rival party candidates, but eventually vote for the AAP.
“If the Congress or BJP people offer money, don't say no to it. It is our own money, at least you are getting some of it back... But when it comes to pressing the EVM button, vote for AAP," the Delhi chief minister had said in Sanquelim assembly constituency located 30 kms north of Panaji.
Kejriwal’s statement had triggered a volley of criticism from the Opposition in Goa, with the Bharatiya Janata Party even filing a formal complaint against the AAP leader with the Election Commission of India.
The ECI had subsequently issued a show cause notice to Kejriwal. Speaking to The Pioneer, AAP spokesperson Satish Sonak has questioned the IQ of the ECI.
“He is not persuading you to take money from other parties. In fact I think the Election Commission should understand, that much IQ they should have... If they have really decided to file and FIR, the Election Commission needs counseling. That is what they require...” Sonak said, when asked to comment on the ECI direction to file the FIR against Kejriwal.
“Today the situation is such that there is a fear in the minds of the people. Somebody comes to you to bribe you with money and you refuse the bribe, he will you against meIJ What are you going to doIJ Is the Election Commission going to come and saveIJ” he also said.
Arguing that Kejriwal had specifically said that the voters should not sell their vote, Sonak also said that the ECI should instead raise a statue of Kejriwal for his frank advice to voters.
“Why doesn't the EC underline that part. EC should raise a statue of Arvind Kejriwal for saying this thing,” he said.