Distributed money was "Holi reward": Mulayam Singh to EC

Lucknow, March 14 (ANI): Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday contended in his reply to the Election Commission that he had not violated the model code of conduct by giving "reward" to people during Holi as it was part of the festivities in Uttar Pradesh.

In his reply to the Election Commission, Yadav, is understood to have explained that the money distributed at his native village of Saifai in Etawah should not be treated as bribe because it was nothing beyond a part of Holi tradition in the region.

EC has sought explanation through a notice to Samajwadi Chief over the incident in which some of his part workers were caught on camera allegedly distributing cash during the 'Holi Milan' function.

Earlier in the day, Yadav told reporters in Lucknow on Saturday that he has submitted the reply to the EC and is confident that the poll panel will be satisfied with it.

Yadav, meanwhile, refused to divulge the contents of the reply but said giving reward during Holi festival was a "custom" and part of an age-old tradition.

Yadav, however, remarked that an "unnecessary controversy" was created this time by television channels. (ANI)