03-12-2009, 10:10 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>EC's notice to Mulayam over 'cash distribution'</b>
pioneer.com
PTI | New Delhi
The Election Commission today slapped a notice on Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav for alleged distribution of cash by his party workers at a Holi function.
Taking congnisance of video footage telecast by television channels, the EC served a notice on the SP leader and sought a reply by March 14, an EC spokesman said.
Earlier, a report from Lucknow said that the EC has also sought a report from the District Magistrate on the incident.
The news regarding distribution of money at a "Holi Milan" programme in Yadav's native Saifai in Etawah district was aired by some news channels.
Some persons, allegedly SP workers, were shown distributing Rs 100 notes to people at the programme.
Meanwhile, Yadav, who arrived here from Etawah, told reporters that he had not given any money to anyone.
<b>"It's a ritual to give 'inam' (reward) to those who dance and sing on Holi</b>. But unfortunately this time I have not given anything to anyone", he said.
<b>"If some workers have given something to them from their own pocket they have done so on their own,"</b> he said.
"Agar rok lagana hai to Holi ke tyohar par bhi rok laga do aap log", (If you want to put a bar you can do so for the festivities too) Yadav said.
Criticising electronic media for airing footage of the Holi function, Yadav said it was not fair to politicise traditions followed during festivals.
Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy criticised the Election Commision and alleged that its move was "merely to harass" Yadav and "soften" him towards the Congress.
"The decision of the Commission is ridiculous," he said.
"If a probe can be conducted for giving 'dakshina' on such an occasion (Holi celebrations), then going to a temple to pray for victory in the election and, therefore, putting money into the hundi would also come the EC scanner as an appeal to religion," he said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
pioneer.com
PTI | New Delhi
The Election Commission today slapped a notice on Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav for alleged distribution of cash by his party workers at a Holi function.
Taking congnisance of video footage telecast by television channels, the EC served a notice on the SP leader and sought a reply by March 14, an EC spokesman said.
Earlier, a report from Lucknow said that the EC has also sought a report from the District Magistrate on the incident.
The news regarding distribution of money at a "Holi Milan" programme in Yadav's native Saifai in Etawah district was aired by some news channels.
Some persons, allegedly SP workers, were shown distributing Rs 100 notes to people at the programme.
Meanwhile, Yadav, who arrived here from Etawah, told reporters that he had not given any money to anyone.
<b>"It's a ritual to give 'inam' (reward) to those who dance and sing on Holi</b>. But unfortunately this time I have not given anything to anyone", he said.
<b>"If some workers have given something to them from their own pocket they have done so on their own,"</b> he said.
"Agar rok lagana hai to Holi ke tyohar par bhi rok laga do aap log", (If you want to put a bar you can do so for the festivities too) Yadav said.
Criticising electronic media for airing footage of the Holi function, Yadav said it was not fair to politicise traditions followed during festivals.
Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy criticised the Election Commision and alleged that its move was "merely to harass" Yadav and "soften" him towards the Congress.
"The decision of the Commission is ridiculous," he said.
"If a probe can be conducted for giving 'dakshina' on such an occasion (Holi celebrations), then going to a temple to pray for victory in the election and, therefore, putting money into the hundi would also come the EC scanner as an appeal to religion," he said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->