In fresh trouble for the BJP, which is facing an uphill poll battle in Goa, the Election Commission of India on Wednesday issued a showcause notice to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for his comments asking voters to accept money from rival candidates. The Commission in its notice has said it was prima facie of the opinion that the former Goa Chief Minister’s comments were violative of the Model Code of Conduct.
In the notice issued, Secretary to the ECI said, “Now, therefore, you hereby called upon to explain by 1 pm on February 3, as to why action should not be taken against you for aforesaid violation of Model Code of Conduct, failing which the ECI shall take a decision without any further reference to you.”
Parrikar has been extensively campaigning for the BJP in Goa for the last few months. On Sunday, during a corner meeting at the Chimbel slums, for which poll officials in Goa now claim, permission had not been sought, Parrikar had said, “...I understand if someone organises a rally and you take Rs500 for moving around with (the candidate), that is not a problem. But when you vote, choose the lotus (BJP’s poll symbol). This you must remember”.