EC sends notice to Kejriwal for violation of model code of conduct

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sent a notice to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for violating the Model Code of Conduct during a press conference where he launched an attack on the BJP and its Delhi unit chief, Satish Upadhyay.

The ECI said that it "prima facie" found Kejriwal guilty of violating the Model Code twice during his press conference on January 16.

The former Delhi chief minister had levelled graft allegations against Mr Upadhyay, and had also accused the BJP of attempting to incite communal violence in Delhi.

The ECI has asked Kejriwal to respond to its notice by 3 p.m. on January 20 or face action for the violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

It said that if there was no response by January 20, it would take a decision without any further reference Kejriwal.

The ECI said it had issued the notice after seeking a report from Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer, based on a complaint from Upadhyay.

Kejriwal had accused Upadhyay of was part of a company that supplies electricity meters to the power distribution company, BSES. The Delhi BJP president had responded with a defamation notice, and accused Kejriwal of "running a factory of lies".