The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, asking him to explain by January 22 why action should not be taken against him for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The EC move follows a complaint from the BJP alleging that Kejriwal had “deliberately and intentionally instigated” the public to take a bribe for voting, thereby abetting the offence of bribery in the electoral process.
“People from both parties will come to offer money, do not refuse, take it… if no one comes forward to give money go to their office and ask them to give it to you in their office… accept the money from both, but vote only for the broom,” Kejriwal is alleged to have said at an election rally here on January 18.
The EC announced the poll schedule for Delhi Assembly elections on January 12 and the MCC came into effect. then.
Delhi goes to polls on February 7 and counting will take place on February 10.
The EC’s decision to take action comes as the MCC provides that parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are “corrupt practices” and offences under the electoral law, such as bribing of voters.