PANAJI
The Election Commission of India has issued a show cause notice to Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for his remarks allegedly promoting corrupt voting practices.
“Your statements amount to abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery... and the commission is prima-facie of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statements you have violated the provision of the Model Code of Conduct,” the Election Commission’s Secretary Sumit Mukherjee said in the notice addressed to Manohar Parrikar’s 10, Akbar Road residence in New Delhi.
Parrikar has been called to explain by 1 pm on February 3 why action should not be taken against him for the violation without which the Election Commission of India shall take a decision “without further reference to you.”
The complaint was filed against Parrikar by both Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Goa Forward Party.
“Now someone will give you 1,000, then 3,000 you do the calculation. We give 1,500 every month. After five years 1,500 will become 90,000 and this will also increase. Lakh to 1,25,000 you will get in the next five years. Today take from anyone 2,000 rupees and vote for them. Someone holds a rally. There is no problem if somebody roams around by taking 500 rupees but just vote for the Lotus,” Parrikar is reported to have said according to the video recording of the Election Commission.
Parrikar made the statements at a corner meeting at Chimbel on January 29.
Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was censured by the Election Commission for making similar statements.
