New Delhi: NCP chief Sharad Pawar had "prima facie" violated the Model Code of Conduct by his 'ink' remark, the Election Commission (EC) said today and asked him to explain his stand by Thursday evening failing which a decision will be taken without asking him further.
The EC issued a notice to Pawar for asking his party workers yesterday to vote twice in the multi-phase polling in Maharashtra after rubbing off the indelible ink.
"...the Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement you have violated the... (sub para 4 of para 1) provision of Model Code," the EC wrote to the NCP chief.
The provision states that "all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are corrupt practices and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters..."
The poll body, acting on a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, sent him a copy of the VCD carrying the speech he made in Navi Mumbai yesterday.
Pawar had yesterday asked his party workers to take advantage of the multi-phase polling in the state by voting twice, first at their hometowns and then at places of work.
"Last time (in 2009), the polling in Satara and Mumbai was on the same day and people went to their hometowns. But this time, polling in Satara is on April 17 and here on April 24," Pawar had said, addressing a gathering of "mathadi" workers (head loaders), who hail from that district in Western Maharashtra.
Pawar, the student union activist-turned-national leader, however, warned voters to take necessary precautions.
"Do erase the ink mark which will be put when you vote first," he had said.
"Vote for the clock (NCP symbol) there (in Satara) and come back to vote for the clock here as well," he had said, to loud laughs at the gathering held in the APMC market in Navi Mumbai.
Pawar, however, had later told reporters in Mumbai that his statement was made in "a lighter vein and had a tinge of satire to it".
The EC issued a notice to Pawar for asking his party workers yesterday to vote twice in the multi-phase polling in Maharashtra after rubbing off the indelible ink.
"...the Commission is, prima facie, of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statement you have violated the... (sub para 4 of para 1) provision of Model Code," the EC wrote to the NCP chief.
The poll body, acting on a complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, sent him a copy of the VCD carrying the speech he made in Navi Mumbai yesterday.
Advertisement
"Last time (in 2009), the polling in Satara and Mumbai was on the same day and people went to their hometowns. But this time, polling in Satara is on April 17 and here on April 24," Pawar had said, addressing a gathering of "mathadi" workers (head loaders), who hail from that district in Western Maharashtra.
Advertisement
"Do erase the ink mark which will be put when you vote first," he had said.
Advertisement
Pawar, however, had later told reporters in Mumbai that his statement was made in "a lighter vein and had a tinge of satire to it".
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Dawood Declared Terrorist In Individual Capacity, Says Bombay High Court; Grants Bail To Two UAPA Accused Video: Pune Couple Flung Into Air After Speeding Car Hits Their Bike 7 Killed, 3 Injured As Taxi Falls Into Roadside Well In Maharashtra: Report The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Crippled Windows Users Worldwide On Sonu Sood's Post About Kanwar Yatra Order, Kangana Ranaut's Rejoinder Curfew In Bangladesh, Military On Streets After 105 Die In Clashes Kerala Health Minister Convenes High-Level Meet Over Suspected Nipah Virus Economic Survey To Be Tabled In Parliament On Monday, A Day Before Budget Mahindra Thar 5-Door Revealed; Named Thar Roxx Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.