Smriti Irani not disqualified: Election Commission

Denying reports of BJP candidate Smriti Irani being disqualified for exceeding expenditure limits, the Election Commission Monday said it is premature to comment on the issue.

"The statement of election expenses from candidates including Smriti Irani are yet to be received. These are supposed to be submitted to the district election officers within 30 days of declaration of results," the commission said Monday.

"The scrutiny of election expenses of any candidate will take place only after that. Therefore, it is premature to comment on the issue," the commission said.

Reports had quoted Election Commission sources saying a rally by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Amethi, where Irani is challenging Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, exeeded her election expenditure limit of Rs.70 lakh.

Exceeding election expenditure limit can lead to cancelation of candidature.