PANJIM: Not convinced with the reply, the Election Commission of
India (ECI) on Tuesday issued fresh notice to Union Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar for his bribery remark, directing to submit his final say by February
9.
Observing prima-facie violation of the model code of
conduct, ECI had on February 1 issued notice to Parrikar, to be replied by
February 3. During his reply, Parrikar claimed that he was misquoted by media
and had raised doubt on the authenticity of the CD produced by the Goa Chief
Electoral Office and the veracity of the transcript.
ECI in its fresh notice has quoted that Goa CEO stating that
‘the issue of authenticity of the CD and veracity of the transcript has been
assessed. As per the information received from the district election officer
cum Collector North, it is been informed that the CD has not been tempered with
in any manner’.
“The entire speech was once again transcript and translated
by three member committee,” it stated.
AAP national convenor and delhi chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
and Goa Forward Party had filed complaint against Parrikar alleging that the
Union Minister during a corner meeting in Chimbel in St Cruz instigated voters
to take money.
ECI has translated the Parrikar Konkani speech which says
“now also someone will give you 1000, then 3000, you do calculation. We give
1500 every month. After five years, 1500 will become 90,000 and this will also
increase. Lakh to 1,25,000 you will get in next five years. . Today take from
anyone 2000 rupees and vote for them. Someone holds a rally, there is no
problem if somebody roams around by taking 500 rupees but just vote for the
lotus..”
“The commission is, prima-facie, of the opinion that by
making such statement you have violated the provision of model code of
conduct,” the notice added.
