Congress complains to EC against Kejriwal's bribe remark

The Congress Monday asked the Election Commission to take criminal action against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for inducing voters to accept bribes.

In its complaint to poll panel chief H.S. Brahma, the party said the statement made by Kejriwal was in "clear violation of Model Code of Conduct".

Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal Sunday had appealed to people to "accept money doled out by both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but cast votes for AAP" in the Delhi assembly elections Feb 7.

In the complaint, the Congress said" "The statement cannot simply be described as irresponsible but has to be viewed with utmost seriousness and gravity to even take criminal actions against him for the purity for electoral process."

"It is totally derogatory and scandalizing. By making such statement, apart from instigating people to indulge in bribe and corruption, he (Kejriwal) has maligned the democratic institution and the process," said the letter.

Congress leader Ajay Maken told reporters that not only was the remark "irresponsible but is also unconstitutional. Asking people to accept bribe is equal to bribing them".