Govinda accused of violating Model Code of Conduct

Mumbai, Mar. 13 (ANI): Actor turned Congress MP Govinda has been accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct by the Election Commission for distributing money during Holi.

Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Chakrabarty has ordered an inquiry into the incident in which Govinda allegedly distributed cash outside his Juhu residence on Wednesday.

"I have directed the returning officer Ashwini Joshi to find out whether the Model Code of Conduct has been violated by Govinda. Once the report is ready, it will be forwarded to the CEO," Suburban Collector Vishwas Patil said.

The Bollywood comedian, however, defended himself by saying that distributing money during Holi has been a ritual of him for years.

"I really don't know why such a big issue is being made out of this. This is a ritual I do every year. I donate money to the poor and needy, and these include eunuchs, poor people in my area and actors who are financially in a bad shape," Govinda said.

Even during the 2004 elections, Govinda's was accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct for using pictures of national personalities and saints during his campaign. (ANI)