The Election Commission has censured Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his bribe remarks made at a poll rally in Goa and said if he continues to violate the model code, stern action would be taken against him and his party, including suspension or withdrawal of recognition to AAP.
In another instance, the Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Minister and Mulayama Prasad Yadav loyalist Gayatri Prasad Prajapati for allegedly planning to distribute over 4,000 sarees in Amethi during Assembly elections, which the poll panel said is violative of the provisions of the model code.
On Kejriwal, the poll watchdog said, “The Election Commission hereby censures you for violating...Provisions of MCC (Model Code of Conduct) and expects that you shall be more circumspect in your public utterances during election time.” “You may also note that in case of similar violation of MCC in future, the Commission shall take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it including action under Para 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968,” it said in its order issued on Friday.
Para 16A gives the poll panel power to “suspend or withdraw recognition of a recognised political party for its failure to observe Model Code of Conduct or follow lawful directions and instructions of the Commission.”
Issuing him show cause notice on January 16, the Commission had quoted him as saying at an election rally that Congress and BJP will come to distribute money. People should accept it in new currency and ask for Rs10,000 instead of Rs5,000 keeping in mind the inflation. He had said that the vote should go to AAP.
Reacting to the order, Kejriwal said EC is wrong and he will challenge it in the court. “EC order against me is completely wrong. lower court gave order in my favour. EC ignored court’s order. Will challenge EC’s latest order in court,” Kejriwal tweeted.
With regard to Prajapati, the EC acting on a report submitted by the DM and SP of Fatehpur district, issued him a show cause notice asking why action should not be initiated against him for allegedly planning to influence voters through “corrupt” means including “bribery”. He has been asked to respond by January 23 evening.
The report had said that a truck carrying 4,452 sarees was seized during a routine checking on January 11. The documents seized showed Prajapati as the receiver of the consignment.
The driver of the vehicle had confessed that the sarees were meant to be distributed during elections in Amethi and were to be delivered to him.