By IANS,
New Delhi : The Election Commission Thursday gave a clean chit to Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal for his alleged remarks intimidating Uttar Pradesh voters that if the Congress did not come to power in the state, president’s rule would be imposed in the state.
“The commission is satisfied that Jaiswal had no intention of threatening or intimidating the electors by making the impugned statement, and has decided not to pursue the matter,” said a statement from the Election Commission.
The panel issued a notice on Feb 23 to Jaiswal for violating the poll Model Code of Conduct by making the statement during the election campaign. It asked him to reply by Feb 29.
The panel said it received his reply, in which Jaiswal denied the charge and stated that his statement has been distorted and that he never threatened the voters as alleged.
The panel said it considered the reply and saw the CD submitted by the minister.
“The commission is of the view that the tone and tenor of the statement does not suggest any threat or intimidation to the voters,” said the commission.