The Election Commission (EC) on Monday accepted the request of Congress vice-president and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi for more time to reply to its show-cause notice on poll code violation. Now, he has to send his reply before 11 a.m. on Friday (November 8).
Mr. Gandhi had sought one week’s time for sending his reply (original deadline was 11.30 a.m. on November 4) since there were holidays in view of Diwali. Moreover, he had received the EC’s notice only at 9.30 p.m. on October 31 and had no time to consult his lawyers.
He also referred to prior travel commitments.
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Mr. Gandhi was issued notice, dated October 31, by the Commission for his alleged remark that Pakistan’s ISI was in touch with relatives of Muzaffarnagar riot victims. He also charged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with indulging in politics of hatred.
The notice was issued based on the BJP’s complaints and after watching the CDs of his alleged speeches made at Churu, Rajasthan, on October 23 and Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on October 24.