EC notice to Gadkari for ‘inducing voters to take bribe’

MUMBAI: The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Union surface transport and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari for allegedly inducing the voters to take bribes and then decided on whom to vote. The commission has vowed to take action against him if he did not clarify on his statement by October 8 evening. Gadkari's objectionable view came in during his speech at an election rally in Latur while campaigning for a BJP candidate there. "The Commission has received emails from the local observers that during the speech in Nilanga constituency in Latur on October 5 you made statements to the effect of inducing voters to take bribe if offered by someone and then decided on vote," the Commission has stated in its notice to Gadkari. According to the Commission, Gadkari in his speech verbatim said ... "Now, I am watching your faces. I have some skills of predicting the future by way of face reading. You have an opportunity of 'laxmi darshan' in next ten days. Special people will get foreign made and ordinary people to get local brands. Am I right? Sisters, elderly sisters ... sarees for older women, pant shirts for young boys and all 'Gandhivadis' are asking for Rs 5,000. In these days of inflation keep one thing in mind eat what you wish and drink what you desire. Keep whatever you get. This is the time when illegally earned money can go to poor. Therefore, do not say no to 'laxmi'. But think while you vote as your vote should be for the development of Maharashtra." TOI