NEW DELHI: The poll panel has served a show cause notice to Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Manohar Parrikar for his reported bribery remarks made in Goa which the poll panel found prima facie violative of the model code.
Complaints were filed after the remarks of Parrikar and local election authorities were told to file a report on this, officials said adding that the EC has asked the minister to file his reply by Friday afternoon failing which it said it will "take a decision without further reference to you"."
"...there is no problem if somebody roams around after taking Rs 500, but just vote for the lotus (BJP's poll symbol)," the EC notice quoted the Defence Minister as having told the electorate in Chimbel, Goa, on January 29.
Reminding the former Goa Chief Minister of the provisions of the Model Code for elections, it said his remarks amounted to "abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery". Goa, along with Punjab, is going for assembly polls on March 4.