EC directs action against Kejriwal for violating MCC

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday directed legal action against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his statement during a public speech in Goa's Mapusa, Bardez Taluka earlier on January 8, calling it a case of abetment of offence of bribery and violative of Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

"The Commission in its Notice dated January 16, had informed Arvind Kejriwal that the impugned statement given by him during a public speech in Mapusa, Bardez Taluka on January 8 is a case of abetment of offence of bribery and thus violative of Model Code of Conduct (MCC)," the Election Commission stated in its statement.

It added that being the Chief Minister of Delhi and a star campaigner of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa, Kejriwal is expected to conduct in an exemplary manner in election campaigns so as to be a role model for others to emulate but he has on several occasions again violated the provisions of MCC by breaking his assurance to the Election Commission given during Legislative Assembly election of Delhi-2015.

The Election Commission has stated that compliance report regarding legal action on Kejriwal should be sent to the Commission latest by 3.00 p.m. on January 31.

The matter was brought before the Commission's attention by the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit which had complained the Goa's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

Kejriwal while addressing a rally in Goa on January 8 said that the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress will be distributing money which should not be refused. He advised them to take money in new notes only.

"Friends now that time for elections are approaching, someone from BJP and Congress will come and distribute money, and in fact I heard that it has already started. But don't refuse it. Take the money. It is our money that they have plundered from us for ages. And take new notes, don't take the old ones. And one more thing, don't accept Rs. 5000, instead demand for Rs. 10,000 citing inflation," he said.