EC issues show-cause notice to Akhilesh over bribery remark, asks him to explain latest by Tuesday

The Election Commission on Monday issued show-cause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav over bribery remark. The EC found statement violative of MCC provisions. The EC asked Akhilesh to explain latest by 5 PM on 7^th March.

The Samajwadi Party supremo was on Monday served with a showcase notice for reportedly asking voters in Bhadhoi on March 4 to accept money but vote for the cycle, his party’s election symbol.

Prime facie finding him guilty of violating the model code, the Commission asked him to respond by March 7 as to why action should not be taken against him.

According to the Commission’s notice, Yadav had asked voters to accept money from other parties, but vote for the ‘bicycle’ symbol of the ruling Samajwadi Party.

“I (have) heard that voters are being given money. My advice to you is to keep the money with yourself and vote for the bicycle,” Akhilesh had said.

The poll watchdog reminded him that bribery and abetment of bribery of voters is a penal offence

Earlier on Sunday, BJP moved the Election Commission regarding remarks of UP CM Akhilesh Yadav asking voters to accept money from other parties but to vote for the SP.

UP BJP spokesperson Manoj Mishra said state BJP vice-president J P S Rathore, in a complaint letter sent to the Chief Election Commissioner, has accused Akhilesh of violating the model code of conduct.

Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had been let off with a light rap by the Election Commission when he made a similar remark that he had no problem with people accepting money from other parties to attend their rallies but that they should vote for the BJP.

Also read: BJP complains to EC against Akhilesh 'bribery' remarks to voters

The EC had also directed registration of an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for asking voters in Goa to accept money from other parties, but vote for AAP which was testing its popularity in the coastal state. 

(With PTI inputs)