The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar asking why action should not be taken against him for his alleged remarks comments abetting bribery during a public meeting in Goa. He has been asked to furnish his reply by February 3.
Taking cognisance of the complaints from the Goa Forward Party and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, the Commission said they alleged that Mr. Parrikar deliberately and intentionally instigated the public to take bribe for voting and therefore, had abetted the offence during the electoral process.
The Defence Minister, a former Goa Chief Minister, made the statements in question at Chimbel on January 29, in which he purportedly said he had no problem with people accepting money from other parties to attend their rallies, but they should vote for “lotus”.
The Goa Forward Party’s complaint alleged that Mr. Parrikar said while someone would give Rs.1,000 or Rs.3,000, “we will give Rs.1,500 every month”.
“After five years 1,500 will become 90,000 and this will also increase. Lakh to 1.25 lakh you well get in the next five years. Today, [you] take from anyone 2,000 and vote for them…there is no problem if somebody roams around by taking 500, but just vote for the lotus…,” he said, it is alleged.
“The statements amount to abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery under Section 171B, read with Section 171E, of the Indian Penal Code, and 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act,” said the Commission, adding that it was prima facie of the opinion that by making the statements, the Defence Minister violated the Model Code of Conduct provisions.
