EC issues notice to Akhilesh Yadav over bribery remarks

The BJP has alleged that Akhilesh's remark ‘If somebody offers you money for vote then take it, but vote only for the Samajwadi Party' made during an election rally.

Election Commission on Monday issued notice to Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav over a statement violative of MCC provisions, asks him to explain by latest by 5 pm on 7th March.

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday wrote to the EC against Akhilesh Yadav, saying that the latter violated the Model Code of Conduct. The BJP has alleged that Akhilesh's remark 'If somebody offers you money for vote then take it, but vote only for the Samajwadi Party' made during an election rally held in Uttar Pradesh's Bhadohi violates the Model Code of Conduct.

Also, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati wrote to the EC demanding an investigation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow held in Varanasi yesterday.

Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had been let off with a light rap by the Election Commission when he made a similar remark that he had no problem with people accepting money from other parties to attend their rallies but that they should vote for the BJP. The EC, which took cognisance of the matter, had asked Parrikar to be more circumspect and careful while making any statement in future when the Model Code of Conduct is in operation. The EC advisory pertained to allegations that he abetted the offence of bribery during a speech ahead of the Goa Assembly polls.

OneIndia News (with PTI inputs)