The Election Commission has sent a showcause notice to Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who allegedly asked voters to accept money from rival parties and opt for his Samajwadi Party.
The poll panel had earlier censured Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and defence minister Manohar Parrikar for making similar comments at rallies.
On Monday, the EC pointed out that Yadav breached the model code of conduct at a rally in Bhadhoi where he said: “Suna hai bahut paisa bat raha hai…paisa bhi rakh lena aur cycle ko yaad rakhna (We have heard a lot of money is being distributed…keep the money but remember the cycle).”
The cycle is the ruling Samajwadi Party’s election symbol.
The poll panel’s action comes in the wake of a complaint by the chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh.
Yadav has been asked to reply by 5pm on Tuesday.
The high-pitch campaigning for the last phase of elections in the state came to an end on Monday.