BJP will convey to the Election Commission that it had nothing to do with the controversial saree distribution function in Lucknow and had not violated the model of code of conduct during polls.
In his response to the poll panel's notice seeking an explanation on the Lucknow episode to be submitted on Thursday, party President M Venkaiah Naidu will say the party neither organised the function to celebrate state leader Lalji Tandon's birthday nor was involved in it.
The party has not committed any offence and not has it violated any provision of the model code of conduct, the party will say in its reply, Naidu told reporters in New Delhi.
He also said that Tandon was never the election agent of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as was being alleged by the opposition.
The party finalised its response to the poll panel's notice at a high-level meeting of its leaders including Law Minister Arun Jaitley.
Naidu will cite some past precedents to buttress BJP's point that the saree distribution did not violate the code. He may cite Kerala High Court order in this regard, party sources told PTI.
{{/usCountry}}Naidu will cite some past precedents to buttress BJP's point that the saree distribution did not violate the code. He may cite Kerala High Court order in this regard, party sources told PTI.
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