Mulayam reply to EC cites tradition

A day after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was served a notice by the Election Commission for an alleged violation of the model code of conduct by distributing money among his supporters in his native place Saifai during a Holi function,the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh has decided to defend himself by citing the incident as a Holi tradition in his region.

SP sources said the SP chief on Friday faxed his reply to the EC,which had sought his reply by Saturday morning. SP workers were caught on camera distributing money on Holi at Saifai.

The sources said Mulayam in his reply to the EC has said it is a tradition for revellers to come to his residence on Holi every year and leave after receiving a reward from the head of the family. The sources indicated that the SP might even send the video footage of the celebrations to satisfy the EC that the money distributed was not a bribe but only part of the tradition.