New Delhi: The Election Commission Tuesday gave a clean chit to Petroleum Minister Murli Deora over his remarks on slashing petrol and diesel prices even while assembly polls are on.

"The commission considered the explanation given by Murli Deora and examined the video footage and came to the conclusion that there was no violation of the model code of conduct," said Deputy Elections Commissioner R. Balakrishnan.

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the minister's remarks to the media and alleged violation of the model code of conduct, the poll panel had issued notice to Deora and Petroleum Secretary R.S. Pandey Nov 26 and sought their explanation.

In an interaction with media, Deora said the government would reduce the prices of petrol and diesel after Dec 24 when the elections in the states would be over.

Commission sources said prima facie there seemed no legitimate basis for the BJP's complaint since the party itself had been demanding a cut in the petrol an diesel prices after the international oil prices slumped to $50 a barrel from nearly $148 five months back.

 

Source : IANS