Delhi polls: Election Commission censures Arvind Kejriwal for communal riot remarks on BJP

New Delhi, Jan 24: Expressing 'displeasure', the Election Commission on Friday censured Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal for his reported remarks that BJP was inciting communal riots in parts of Delhi.

The poll watchdog also issued him a fresh show cause notice for his repeated alleged statements that while people should accept bribe from BJP and Congress, they should vote for AAP. He has been asked to respond to the notice by 11 am on January 27, failing which the Election Commission of India shall take a decision without any further reference.

"In the Commission's considered view, your statements have the effect of aggravating existing differences or creating mutual hatred or causing tension between different castes and communities, religious or linguistic, and vitiating the purity of election process and disturbing level playing field, and are thus violative of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct. The Commission conveys its displeasure and censures you for the above violation of MCC and expects you to be more circumspect in your public utterances in future", says EC in its notice, "the EC said.

While issuing the order, EC also pointed out that the former Delhi chief minister has "not denied the statements to the effect".

Serving a fresh show cause notice to Kejriwal, third in a row, EC said it has "noted with concern" that a similar statement was made by him earlier for which he has already been issued a notice. He has so far been issued three notices, two on bribe remarks and one on communal riots remark.

The Commission reminded him of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct which provides that parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities, which are "corrupt practices" and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters.

EC said that prima-facie it is of the opinion that by making the statements he has 'repeatedly violated' the provisions of poll code. The latest showcause was issued after BJP and Congress approached the EC with separate complaints.

PTI