EC's clean chit to RLD leader Jayant Chowdhury

The election authorities on Tuesday gave a clean chit to Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh's son and Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chowdhury who was caught on camera accepting money from a local leader in Mathura and allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

After examination, it has been found that there was no effort to woo the electorate by offering money and Rs 51,000 which were seen changing hands were being given for poll management, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Anita Meshram said.

The RLD candidate would mention it in the expenditure register which would also be checked by the expenditure observer, she said adding the returning officer's report in this regard is being sent to the election officer.

According to the report, gram pradhan Than Singh was giving the money to the candidate for election management.

A notice was sent to Chowdhury by the EC earlier this week seeking his explanation after he was caught on camera accepting money at Govardhan assembly constituency.

Besides Chowdhury, a notice was also given to party candiadate from Goverdhan Megh Shyam Singh.

The assembly constituencies that fall under Mathura will go to vote on February 28.

Chowdhury, a sitting MP from Mathura, is also contesting assembly polls from Maant seat.