EC censures Kejriwal for violating Model Code of Conduct

New Delhi, January 21

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has censured Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, warning him of stern action in case of similar violations.

"Election Commission hereby censures you (Kejriwal) for violating the provisions of MCC and expects you shall be more circumspect in your public utterances during election time," said the order issued by EC to Kejriwal.

The order further reads: "You (Kejriwal) may also note that in case of similar violation of MCC in future the Commission will take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it including action under Para 16 A of the election symbols (Reservation and Allotment) order 1968." Kejriwal has been alleged of violating the MCC by "deliberately and intentionally" instigating the public to take bribe for voting in Goa assembly elections.

In his four speeches at various rallies in Goa last weekend, Kejriwal had said that people should not just accept Rs 5,000, but demand Rs 10,000 from politicians keen on offering money, but vote for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Following the complaint by the BJP, the EC had issued notice to Kejriwal on January 16 seeking a reply by January 19.

Though Kejriwal replied through his attorney Kailash Gahlot, the EC said that it is not satisfied with the reply, stating that the reply was not at all "convincing".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal however called EC’s order "illegal, unconstitutional and wrong" and said he would contest the order.

"I don't understand what the Election Commission is up to. It can't stop the bribery, money is being given and taken all around (charo taraf jam ke paisa chal raha hai)," he said.

"The commission wants to say that don't do what Kejriwal is saying — take their money but vote for me. Election Commission wants to say that vote for only those from whom you are taking the money," he said, after addressing a corner meeting in Shiroda Assembly constituency in Goa.

"I am just telling people that if Congress and BJP give you money, take it but vote for me. Where is the corruption in this? If I had said take money from me and vote for me, then it would have amounted to corruption. I have given a written reply to the EC."

He said the commission had made a similar rebuke during the Delhi elections, but a corut had rejected its contention of occruption.

"I think the EC should make it its slogan, 'don't give vote to those who pay you, give vote to those who don't pay you'. ECI should take some big artist like Aamir Khan to spread the message that don't give vote to those who give you the money," Kejriwal added. PTI/ IANS