On a day when Election Commission (EC) "warned" him over his remarks asking voters to accept bribes from Congress and BJP but vote for his party, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal justified his remarks at back-to-back rallies here.
EC had directed Kejriwal to "desist from making these utterances in all forms of election campaign... From today 7.00 PM onwards", adding that any further violation of its orders would invite "stern action".
Interestingly, the two rallies -- at Babarpur and Shahdara, during which he justified his remarks -- were held before 7.00 PM. The AAP leader did not repeat the remarks at the Patparganj rally, which started after 7.00 PM.
Kejriwal said, "What is bribery? It is taking money and then voting. However, I am forbidding voters to do so. I say, 'take money from them but don't vote for them. Rather give vote to us'."
He also repeated the comments that had invited the EC's ire, "It's election time. When people both from BJP and Congress come offering money, don't refuse, accept... Some have looted money from 2G, some have looted money from coal scam... Take money from both the parties but vote for AAP."
Meanwhile, at a press conference, AAP leaders seemed to duck media queries on Kejriwal's remarks today even as they pointed to "media reports" in an attempt to offer a clarification on the issue.
"You people (media) only report on EC seizing drugs, alcohol, money during every elections. There are media reports. Now these are facts that can hardly be denied. He (Kejriwal) is only trying to explain to people to not fall into such traps," said AAP leader Ashish Khetan.
While issuing its order, EC took note of an undertaking by Kejriwal that he respects the poll body and the law and would stop making such appeals if the Commission finds his statements inappropriate.
EC was responding to separate complaints by BJP and Congress against the AAP convener.
