Mumbai: The Election Commission of India has clarified that it has not directed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to issue income tax notices to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that the income Tax Department has sent a notice in connection with the election affidavits submitted by him. The commission said in its statement, “It has been reported in some sections of the media that an income tax notice has been issued to Member of Parliament Sharad Pawar on the instructions of the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission of India has not issued any such directive to CBDT to issue notice to Pawar”.
Pawar had said that the Income Tax Department has asked him for clarification in relation to some election affidavits given by him. “We are happy that they (Centre), among all the members, love us. The Income Tax Department issued the notice when the Election Commission asked them to do so. We will respond to the notice.”
Pawar further added, “The Income Tax Department has sent a similar notice to his daughter and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray. The central government is trying to intimidate opponents through tax notices.”
On the other hand, the leaders of the ruling party of Maharashtra Shiv Sena and their ally NCP are being accused of filing incorrect information in the affidavit to the Election Commission at the time of election. According to sources, the complainants have also submitted few documents in support of their claim, which shows that these leaders have given incorrect information in the affidavit.
The Election Commission is now waiting for the CBDT investigation report. In such a case, if the allegations levelled against these leaders are found correct, then CBDT can register a case in this case under Section 125 A of the Representation of People Act. There is a provision of a maximum of 6 months in jail or fine or both under this section.