Jaswant under EC scanner for cash distribution

The Election Commission said it would look into the CD on alleged distribution of currency notes by Singh at Gagaria village in Barmer district from where his son Manvendra Singh is contesting Lok Sabha polls.

“The full Commission will witness the CD and would take an appropriate decision,” Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan said in New Delhi after the Barmer district administration sent a preliminary report and the CD to the EC.

Singh and BJP MP from Tonk Lok Sabha seat Kailash Meghwal were accused on Tuesday of handing Rs 10,000 to a woman and distributing food packets among people in alleged violation of the model code of conduct at Gagaria village where he had gone to campaign for his son. Singh was even caught on camera doling out the money during the election meeting in Barmer district.

Singh said in Jaisalmer helping the needy was his duty and his family has been helping the poor.

He lashed out at the Congress saying,”if Congress thinks helping the poor is a crime. I cannot help it. I’ll continue to help them.”

“If today in Congress’ rule helping the poor is a sin and taking away from them is religion then I cannot abide by that religion,” Singh added.

“Prima facie Rs 10,000 was given to a woman on the daisy the two leaders who also distributed 6,000 food packets among the people at the meeting,” State’s Chief Election Officer (CEO) Vinod Zutshi said yesterday after receiving a report from Barmer Collector Ravi Jain on the episode.

The complaint against the two leaders has been forwarded to the Election Commission,Zutshi said. BJP’s prime ministerial candidate L K Advani said he was not aware of the Jaswant Singh incident. He however said the Election Commission will take cognisance if there is any violation of mode of conduct.