Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has been asked by the Election Commission of India to respond to its notice by February 9 on an election related remark.

 

The poll panel on Tuesday sent a missive to Parrikar regarding the commission’s notice issued on February 1.

 

On Tuesday, the election commission said that on February 3, Parrikar had responded through advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai.  The matter was then forwarded to the chief electoral officer, Goa for his comments on contentions made regarding the authenticity of the CD and the veracity of the transcript.

 

The Goa CEO said that the issue of the authenticity of the CD and the veracity of the transcript has been assessed. As per the communication received from the DEO cum Collector, North Goa, it has been confirmed that the CD has not been tampered with in any manner whatsoever.

 

The poll panel missive said: “The entire speech is again transcripted and translated by a three member committee and the relevant portion is reproduced: “…Now somebody will give you Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000. Calculate it. We give 1,500 per month. In five years, 1,500 becomes 90,000 and this will further increase, therefore you will get nearly a lakh or one lakh twenty five thousand rupees for the next five years. You vote him by taking 2,000 rupees from someone (voice is not clear). It is ok, somebody will hold a rally, there is no objection, someone roams there with Rs 500. But vote shall be for lotus only…”