In a surprise move, Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav on Thursday came to the defence of Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal, saying the Election Commission’s show-cause notice to him was unjustified.
In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma, Mr. Yadav sought a review of the notice to the AAP chief for a speech in which he said voters could take “bribes” offered by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, but urged them to vote for his party after that.
“What is wrong with that?” Mr. Yadav asked. “The Election Commission is supposed to guarantee free and fair elections, ensuring that those who use money power and muscle power don’t get an advantage over those who don’t – that’s all.”
But should Mr. Kejriwal have made allegations against specific parties? “Who else is contesting the polls in Delhi?” he shot back.
Is the JD(U) backing the AAP in the Delhi polls? “I am not saying that, I am just saying the EC notice is unjustified,” Mr. Yadav said.
Mr. Yadav’s statement comes against the backdrop of moves to merge six constituents of the Janata Parivar and thereafter work towards a larger anti-BJP platform.
