Based on allegations from political rivals that he had ‘deliberately and intentionally instigated the public to accept bribes for voting’

: The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday issued a notice to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, asking why action should not be taken against him for his alleged remarks abetting bribery at a public meeting in Goa.

He has been directed to furnish his reply by February 3. Taking cognisance of complaints from the Goa Forward Party, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, the Election Commission said they had alleged that Mr. Parrikar deliberately and intentionally instigated the public to accept bribes for voting and, therefore, he had abetted the offence (of bribery) 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 the “lotus”.

The Goa Forward Party’s complaint alleged that Mr. Parrikar had said someone would give ₹1,000 or ₹3,000, but “we will give ₹1,500 every month”.

It is alleged that he said, “After five years [₹] 1,500 will become [₹]90,000 and this will also increase. You will be [₹] 1 lakh to 1.25 lakh in the next five years. Today, [you] take ₹ 2,000 from anyone and vote for them…there is no problem if somebody roams around by taking [₹] 500, but just vote for the lotus.”

EC’s prima facie opinion

“The statements amount to abetting and promoting the electoral offence of bribery under Section 171 B, read with Section 171 E 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 had violated the Model Code of Conduct provisions.

In his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Kejriwal had on Monday sought legal action against Mr. Parrikar and Congress chief ministerial candidate in Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, for allegedly “abetting bribery”.

Kejriwal’s demand

“The Election Commission should at the earliest get an approval from the PMO and FIRs (First Information Reports) should be registered against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress leaders,” said Mr. Kejriwal, appealing to the Election Commission that it should display the same level of urgency and promptness in getting FIRs registered against Mr. Parrikar and Mr. Singh as it showed in his case.