Notice slapped for ‘inducing voters to take bribe’

The Election Commission on Monday issued a show cause notice to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for ‘statements to the effect of inducing the voters to take bribe’ during campaigning in Maharashtra assembly polls. Holding that the statements prima facie violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, the EC asked him to reply by Wednesday evening, failing which the poll body will take a decision without further reference to the BJP leader. In the notice, the EC said district electoral officer of Latur (Maharashtra) had informed the poll watchdog that Gadkari, while addressing a public meeting in Nilenga assembly constituency on Sunday, allegedly made ‘statements to the effect of inducing the voters to take bribe if offered by someone and then decide how to vote’.