The Election Commission on Monday asked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to explain why action should not be taken against him for breaking the Model Code of Conduct. He has been given time till 5 pm on Tuesday to send his reply to the EC communication.
The Commission has pointed out that while addressing an election rally at Gyanpur, Bhadohi, on March 4, Akhilesh had said: “We have heard that a lot of money is being distributed. Keep the money and vote for the cycle (the election symbol of the Samajwadi Party).”
The EC’s communication pointed out that “bribing or abetting of bribery of electors is an offence” under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951. The CM’s statement violated provisions of the Moral Code of Conduct, it added.
This is not the first instance when the EC has pulled up party leaders during the current round of elections to five States — Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, Uttrakhand and Manipur.
Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar was asked to explain why action should not be taken against him for asking voters in Goa to “take money from anyone” but vote for the lotus (the BJP symbol).
AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was also hauled up by the Commission for making a similar remark in Punjab.
The election process, which began on January 4 when the Commission issued notifications for elections to the five States, will end on March 11, when votes will be counted for all the States.