NEW DELHI: The
Election Commission on Tuesday issued another notice to Defence Minister
Manohar Parrikar for his reported bribery remarks made at an election rally in Goa.
"The CD containing his(Parrikar) remarks was not tampered with in any manner," an
EC official said, adding that the Defence Minister has to file his final reply by February 9.
However, Parrikar has maintained that his words during the election rally were misinterpreted.
"...Now also someone will give you Rs 1,000... We give Rs 1,500 every month. After five years, 1,500 will become 90,000 and this will also increase," Parrikar had said on January 29.
The EC had sent a notice to Parrikar and sought his explanation by February 3 but the latter sought more time for his explanation. Reminding the former Goa Chief Minister of the provisions of the Model Code for elections, it said his remarks amounted to “abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery”.
Informed sources in the poll panel said Parrikar in his reply said what he meant to say was changed due to incorrect translation from Konkani to English.