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EC censures Kejriwal over 'communal hatred' remark

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New Delhi, Jan 23 The Election Commission Friday censured AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks accusing the BJP of spreading communal hatred in the capital and asked him to be circumspect in his comments in future.

The poll panel, which had issued notice to Kejriwal Jan 17 following a complaint by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay, said the Aam Aadmi Party leader's comments violated the model code of conduct.

According to the report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Kejriwal had said: "The BJP has been responsible for inciting communal riots in various parts of Delhi in the recent past."

The notice said: "Now, therefore, the commission hereby conveys its displeasure and censures you (Kejriwal) for the above violation of the model code of conduct and expects you to be more circumspect in your public utterances in future."

In the commission's views, Kejriwal's statement had the effect of aggravating existing differences or creating mutual hatred or causing tension between different castes and communities.

The commission also noted that Kejriwal has not denied his statement in his reply submitted before the poll panel Jan 22.

The Delhi assembly polls would be held Feb 7 and votes will be counted Feb 10.
The Election Commission Friday issued a second notice to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for asking people to take bribes for voting.

Holding that his comments violated the model code of conduct, the poll panel asked Kejriwal to explain his stance by 11 a.m. Jan 27.

This was the second notice to the Aam Aadmi Party leader over the bribery issue. The Election Commission had earlier issued notice to Kejriwal on similar comments made by him Jan 18.

The notice said: "The commission has noted with concern that a similar statement was made by you earlier also on Jan 18."

"The commission is prima facie of the opinion that by making the aforesaid statements you have repeatedly viola