EC sends notice to AAP's Kejriwal for violating model code

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday issued a notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for distributing a pamphlet here that reportedly contained an appeal for votes on religious grounds.

The EC notice was issued after Rajouri Garden resident Harish Khurana complained to the former about a pamphlet distributed by AAP.

Kejriwal has reportedly presented the AAP as a "secular" alternative for Delhi's Muslim voters.

"The BJP is a communal party ... until now, the Muslims (of Delhi) did not have an alternative. But now they have got an honest and secular alternative. I appeal to all Muslims to join AAP in its efforts to create a cleaner polity," the pamphlet Kejriwal, as saying.

The EC held Kejriwal prima facie violative of the Model Code of Conduct, and ask him to reply to its notice by 11 a.m. on November 25, failing which, it warned that action could be taken.

Kejriwal has been found guilty of violating against him for violating sub para(3) of Para I of the MCC.

According to this provision of the poll code for guidance of political parties and candidates, "there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings, for securing votes...mosques, churches, temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.