New Delhi

Acting on a complaint by the Congress, the Election Commission Wednesday issued notice to BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi over his "khooni panja" (bloodied paw) remark at a rally in Chhattisgarh, a reference to the Congress election symbol.

The remark was made last week at an election rally at Dongargarh.

Modi has also used the term "jalim haath" (cruel hand) to describe the Congress symbol.

The Election Commission asked Modi to explain by 5 p.m. of Nov 16 why action should not be initiated against him for alleged violation of the model code of conduct 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, maintained there was no violation of the election code of conduct.

"The Election Commission notice has reached us. We will go through the details and respond," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said.

She said she wished to clarify that there was "no violation of the code of conduct in his (Modi's) statement".

The Congress complained to the Election Commission that Modi's comment was "intemperate, malicious and defamatory".

"The use of the expression 'khooni panja' is extremely significant and deplorable and has an effect of terrorising the public at large against the Congress," the Congress said in its petition.

The poll panel, in its notice said that "prima facie it has been observed that by making the aforesaid statements, you have violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct".

It said if no reply is received by Nov 16 then it will take appropriate action.

A copy of the CD of Modi's speech of Nov 7 in Dongargarh Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh was obtained by the commission.

By:IANS