Election Commission denies asking tax department to serve notice to NCP chief Sharad Pawar

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday dismissed speculation that it had not directed income tax authorities to serve a notice to Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar. The senior leader had said on Tuesday that he had been given the notice, which asked for clarification about his election affidavits in the past.

“In some sections of [the] media it has been reported that Income Tax notice has been issued to Shri Sharad Pawar, Member of Parliament on the directions of Election Commission of India,” the poll body said in a statement. “In this context, it is stated that Election Commission of India has not issued any such direction to CBDT [Central Board of Direct Taxation] to issue notice to Shri Pawar.”

The…