Pawar expresses deep regret to EC for 'ink' remark

NCP chief Sharad Pawar today expressed deep regret for the confusion and misunderstanding his controversial 'ink' remark has caused and requested the Election Commission to treat the issue as closed.
The Election Commission had found that the NCP chief had "prima facie" violated the Model Code of Conduct.
The EC had issued a notice to Pawar for asking his party workers to vote twice in the multi-phase polling in Maharashtra after rubbing off the indelible ink.
Responding to the Election Commission show cause notice, Pawar said his remarks asking people to remove the indelible ink were made in zest and in spirit of humour.

But he rejected the charge of BJP's Kirit Somaia that he had asked the gathering of headloaders to vote twice by taking advantage of the multi-phase election in Maharashtra, sources said.
Somaia had moved EC against him.

In his reply, the Union minister said usually the families of headloaders dwell in villages while the men work in cities.
Pawar said he had only emphasised that those registered in villages should vote their while those who are voters in city should exercise their franchise there.
He stressed that he had no intention of asking anyone to vote twice and he was only asking people not to miss their right to vote.

Pawar said he had not made the statement in a political rally and neither was it a political statement.
He said he deeply regrets the confusion and misunderstanding caused due to his statement made in zest and requested the poll body to treat the issue as closed.