EC grants 4 more days to Rahul to reply on poll code violation

The Election Commission today granted four days more time to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to reply to its notice for Model Code violation over his remark that Pakistani's ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims.

The EC has now asked Gandhi to reply to it by 11.30 AM on November 8 as to why action should not be initiated against him for violating the Model Code by making such remarks in his speeches in Churu, Rajasthan, on October 23 and in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on October 24 while campaigning.

"The Commission has considered your request for extension of time for submitting your reply to the commission's Notice ...Has decided to extend the time for reply to the said Notice up to 1100 hrs on November 8, 2013 (Friday)," the EC letter to him said.

The EC had issued a notice to Gandhi on October 31 for his speeches in which he had said Pakistan's ISI was in touch with Muzaffarnagar riot victims and charged BJP with indulging in politics of hatred.

Gandhi, who was asked to reply to EC by today morning, sent a letter dated November 3 to Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath through email and otherwise, seeking a week's more time to reply to the notice served on him.

In seeking more time from the EC, Gandhi in his letter today cited his prior travel commitments during the week ended November 3 and holidays due to the festive season as reasons for not been able to reply to the EC in time.

He said he had received the EC notice only at 9.30 PM on October 31 and hardly had time to reply.

The Commission, after examining Gandhi's speeches made in Churu and Indore, had asked him to explain by Monday why action should not be initiated against him for prima facie violating the Model Code of Conduct.