EC sends notice to Maneka Gandhi

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi has landed up in trouble after she allegedly threatened a few members of the Muslim community to vote for her in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls or face consequences.

The Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Union Minister Maneka Gandhi for her remark during a poll speech in Sultanpur on Thursday.The Election Commission in Delhi is also examining the transcript of the minister's speech, which was condemned by the Congress. Maneka, the BJP candidate from Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency, claimed she is all set to win and told the Muslim audience that "you might need me tomorrow."

Maneka Gandhi, later on Friday, clarified that her words had been twisted. "I love Muslims and I had myself called a meeting of the BJP's minority cell. I only meant to say that I am winning the elections and their participation would be like 'daal pe chaunka'."

However, Maneka Gandhi said that her remarks had been twisted.

The Congress termed Ms Gandhi's statement "scandalous". Party leader Randeep Surjewala said should be a strict action and that the minister should be sacked for her remarks and for "dividing people".

Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini, the BJP lawmaker from Mathura, today reacted to party colleague Maneka Gandhi's speech in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur and said even if the people in the minority community do not support the BJP, the party leaders still have to help everybody.