The Election Commission on Monday issued a notice to Union Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari for allegedly asking voters at Latur in Maharashtra to accept bribes if offered by anyone, but to exercise their voting right judiciously.
The poll panel said that Gadkari had violated the Model Code of Conduct, which had been put in place ahead of assembly elections in Maharashtra. It asked him to explain his stand on the allegation by Wednesday evening.
The EC acted after receiving a report from the District Magistrate cum District Election Officer of Latur on Monday. The report referred to a speech made by the minister while campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate at Nilenga constituency on Sunday.
“Now, I am watching your faces and I have some skill of predicting the future by way of face reading. You have an opportunity of “Laxmi Darshan” in next 10 days. Special people to get foreign made, ordinary people to get local brand. Am I right? Sisters, elderly sisters....Sarees for old women, pant-shirt for young boys and all are Gandhivadis asking for Rs 5,000.
“In these days of inflation, keep one thing in mind, eat what you wish and drink what you desire. Keep whatever you get. This is the time when illegally earned money can go to poor. Therefore, do not say no to Laxmi. But think while you vote. Your vote should be for the development of Maharashtra,” the report received by the EC quoted Gadkari saying in Marathi.
The poll panel said Gadkari has violated the sub-para 4 of the para 1 of the Model Code of Conduct by making statements to the effect of inducing the voters to take bribe if offered by someone and then decide how to vote.
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