The Election Commission has granted two more days to Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal to reply to its notice on his comments on imposition of President's Rule in Uttar Pradesh, which it held prima facie a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Commission had served a show cause notice on Mr. Jaiswal on February 24, asking why action should not

be initiated against him for his remarks made during campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. Mr. Jaiswal was to reply to the EC notice by February 27 but has been allowed to file his reply by February 29 after he sought two more days time to enable him to explain his stand on the matter in detail.