Poll panel notice to Mulayam for comments against official

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) The Election Commission Monday issued notice to Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for his reportedly threatening remarks against the Mainpuri district magistrate.

'The Commission considers such threats as obstacle in the conduct of free and fair elections, as such actions affect the morale of the district election machinery involved in the conduct of elections,' it said in a statement here.

Mulayam Singh Yadav had targeted Mainpuri District Magistrate Ministhy Dileep, saying: 'She (Ministhy) is a woman and that is why I am not making any comments on her. She should get her brain checked and should be aware of the fact that Mulayam is contesting from here (Mainpuri).'

The poll panel said it has given Mulayam Singh Yadav an opportunity to explain his remarks by April 3 and say why action should not be taken against him for threatening the district magistrate who is also returning officer.

If he fails to send his reply, the commission will take action against him without any further notice, it said.

The commission said they have seen the CD of the video of the Samajwadi Party chief's speech in Mainpuri March 23, in which he allegedly made threatening remarks against the official.

According to reports, Yadav made the comments after his party workers in Mainpuri said Ministhy had cancelled arms dealer licences and confiscated licensed arms of Samajwadi Party supporters.