Delhi polls: 'Take bribe from other parties' comment read out of context - AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal today told the Election Commission that his comments asking voters to take bribe from other parties and vote for it, was being "read out of context".

In a letter to the Commission a day after it issued a fresh show cause notice for his statements allegedly asking voters to 'take bribe from BJP and Congress and vote for AAP', Kejriwal said he was helping to root out corruption.

"What I meant in my speech was accept the money but don't vote for the bribe givers. This way I am rather helping to root out corruption by discouraging bribery," he said.

He observed that the offer of money and other things during elections have become an "integral" part of the country's politics.

"It can't be denied that many leaders and parties buy votes by distributing money and other things. It has become an integral part of our country's politics," he said.

The former Delhi chief minister also requested the EC to provide him an opportunity to appear in person before the panel if the panel disagrees with his pleas.

The EC had asked Kejriwal to respond to the notice by 11 am on January 27. It has already censured the AAP leader for his reported remarks that BJP was inciting communal riots in parts of Delhi.