NEW DELHI
The Election Commission on Monday issued a notice of model code violation to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his reported remarks in poll-bound Goa where he had allegedly promoted bribery and asked him to respond by Wednesday.
The Commission said it is prima facie of the opinion that by making such statements in Goa on January 8, he has violated the model code which came into force on January 4.
The Commission quoted him as saying, “If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as it is your own money and there is nothing wrong in getting it back. If they do not offer money, go to their offices and ask for it. But, when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate,” Kejriwal had said while addressing election rallies in Mapusa and several other places in Goa. He also said people should accept it in new currency and ask for `10,000 instead of `5,000 keeping in mind the inflation.
The Commission said the AAP leader’s statement amounts to “abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery”. It said if Kejriwal; fails to respond by January 19 afternoon, the Commission will take a decision “without any further reference to you”.
The Congress had earlier demanded an apology from Kejriwal for “insulting” the voters of the state by asking them to accept money offered by all political party, but vote for AAP.
Party spokesman in Goa, Trajano D’Mello had said, “Kejriwal’s appeal to the people to take money from all political parties and vote for AAP is a clear case of inducing people to be corrupt. This is an insult to sensitive voters from Goa. Therefore, he should apologise to the people from the state.”
