Just days after the Election Commission ordered to file an FIR against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his bribe remarks, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar made a similar remark saying that while it was understandable to accept money from candidate to attend rallies, they must vote for the BJP in the upcoming Goa elections.
He asserted that it was not a problem to accept Rs 500 from a candidate to campaign for them or attend rallies, they should remember to cast their votes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP.
“I understand if someone organises a rally and you take Rs 500 for moving around with (the candidate), that is not a problem. But when you vote, choose the lotus (BJP’s poll symbol). This you must remember,”Parrikar said while attending in the state capital.
The Election Commission had ordered to register an FIR against Kejriwal under Representation of the People Act for bribing voters in the polls. While addressing a rally in Goa, Kejriwal told the voters to accept money from Congress and BJP but to vote for Aam Aadmi Party in the elections.
The EC termed the statement as “scurrilous”, and alleged that Kejriwal was encouraging bribery by making such statements. Kejriwal in return reportedly wrote to the commission saying that he was engaging in bribery but was only encouraging people to vote for AAP. He further went on to allege that it was the commission who was encouraging bribery by stopping him from making such statements.
The commission responded saying, “Instead of making wild allegations, you are most welcome to adduce any evidence of distribution of black money.”
