New Delhi: Election Commission has ordered the Goa poll authorities to register a police case against Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks about bribes at an election rally.
At a public rally in Benaulim earlier this month, Mr Kejriwal said, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as your own money. But when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate."
"The Commission directs that necessary legal action be initiated by filing a complaint against Arvind Kejriwal for the statements... compliance report in this regard should be sent to the Commission latest by 3.00 PM on January 31."
Mr Kejriwal's defence that EC was encouraging bribery by refraining him from making such statements was shot down by the poll authority, which termed his comments as "scurrilous".
"Being Chief Minister of Delhi and a star campaigner of AAP in Goa, he is expected to conduct in an exemplary manner in election campaigns in a law abiding manner so as to be a role model for others to emulate but he has on several occasions again violated provisions of MCC (model code of conduct) by breaking his assurance to EC," the poll panel said.
The commission said it had previously censured Mr Kejriwal for violating the provisions of the model code of conduct and expected him to be more circumspect in public utterances during the election period.
"Arvind Kejriwal has again written a letter... stating therein that he is not abetting bribery by appealing to voters to accept money from any party but to vote in favour of AAP," the commission said.
Mr Kejriwal had said that similar allegations had been levelled against him in the past, during the 2015 Delhi elections and the court had ruled in his favour.
Goa votes on February 4. The results will be declared on March 11.
(With inputs from PTI)
At a public rally in Benaulim earlier this month, Mr Kejriwal said, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as your own money. But when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate."
"The Commission directs that necessary legal action be initiated by filing a complaint against Arvind Kejriwal for the statements... compliance report in this regard should be sent to the Commission latest by 3.00 PM on January 31."
"Being Chief Minister of Delhi and a star campaigner of AAP in Goa, he is expected to conduct in an exemplary manner in election campaigns in a law abiding manner so as to be a role model for others to emulate but he has on several occasions again violated provisions of MCC (model code of conduct) by breaking his assurance to EC," the poll panel said.
Advertisement
"Arvind Kejriwal has again written a letter... stating therein that he is not abetting bribery by appealing to voters to accept money from any party but to vote in favour of AAP," the commission said.
Advertisement
Goa votes on February 4. The results will be declared on March 11.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
'INDIA' Is with You Against "Injustice": Rahul Gandhi To Arvind Kejriwal AAP Fully Prepared To Contest All Seats In Haryana Assembly Polls: Atishi Out On Bail, AAP's Manish Sisodia To Begin 'Padyatras' Across Delhi Today Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Kolkata Rape-Murder Case Updates: Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike For Debate Against Kamala Harris, Donald Trump Picks This Hindu American Video: Under Construction For 9 Years, Bihar Bridge Collapses For 3rd Time Raksha Bandhan 2024: A Unique Tradition And Its Genesis Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.