The Election Commission's notice to him notwithstanding, Lok Janshakti Party president and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan Thursday defended his advocacy of a Muslim chief minister for Bihar saying he wanted justice for the community.
"After all, Rabri Devi and Nitish Kumar, the two people eyeing the chief minister's chair, also belong to some caste. What is wrong in my rooting for a Muslim chief minister? I want justice to be done to a community that has been long neglected," he told PTI.
Paswan, however, said he was yet to receive any notice from the Election Commission. "But if I get one, I will send a suitable reply," he said.
The EC's notice to Paswan followed two complaints against him by former director general of Border Security Force Prakash Singh and one Gaurav Kathuria who accused the LJP leader of appealing to voters in the name of religion, which was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct for elections, Indian Penal Code and Representation of the People Act.
Paswan has been asked to reply to the notice by October 24.
© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
|
Advertisement
Email this Article 
Print this Article