EC issues notice to Kejriwal

The Election Commission Tuesday sent a notice to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal to explain why he asked people to take bribes from other parties for voting in the Delhi assembly polls.

The poll panel asked the Aam Aadmi Party leader to give an explanation by 4 p.m. Thursday.

"People from both parties (BJP and Congress) will come to offer money, do not refuse, take it... if no one comes forward to give you money, go to their offices and ask them to give it to you in their office... accept the money from both, but vote only for the broom," the Election Commission quoted Kejriwal as saying at a public meeting.

In the notice to the former Delhi chief minister, the poll panel said it was "prima facie of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statements, you have violated the provision of the model code of conduct".

"You are hereby called upon to explain by 4 p.m. on 22.01.2015 (Thursday) as to why action should not be taken against you for aforesaid violation of the model code of conduct, failing which the Election Commission of India shall take a decision without any further reference to you," the notice said.

The notice was sent following a complaint to the poll panel by the Congress.

The AAP chief had made the appeal to people Sunday.

Balloting for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be held Feb 7. Votes will be counted Feb 10.