EC notice to Yashodhara for ‘threatening’ voters

Bhopal, February 18

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today issued a notice to Madhya Pradesh minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia for “threatening” voters during the campaigning for Kolaras Assembly byelection. 

The ECI had received a complaint with a video, where Scindia is purportedly seen telling people that they won’t get the benefit of government schemes if they don’t vote for the BJP.

Following the complaint, a notice was served, seeking her explanation by February 20. In the video, which went viral, Scindia is heard saying: “If you vote for the hand (Congress symbol), you will not get the benefit of government schemes. If you vote for the lotus (BJP symbol), then only schemes would come to you.”

“The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (for providing LPG connections to poor women) was introduced by the BJP. And if the voters choose the hand over the lotus, they will not benefit under the scheme.... Water would reach you only when you vote for the lotus. How many times you will vote for the hand and remain without water?” she purportedly said.

 Scindia, the Sports and Youth Welfare Minister in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan Cabinet, is also heard saying that she is a minister and would not do any work recommended by a Congress MLA.

Byelections in Kolaras and Mungaoli were necessitated due to the death of Congress MLAs. Polling is scheduled for February 24. — PTI