BJP defends Modi over 'Khooni Panja' remark, says 'no violation of EC norms'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday defended its party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, and said that he did not violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), following a notice issued by the Election Commission (EC) over his " khooni panja" and "zaalim haath" remarks made against the Congress Party at a rally.

"We will certainly look into the notice with all due care and respond to it in time. But I would like to assert here that there has not been any violation of the code of conduct. But certainly, officially going through the note, we shall respond," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitaraman told media here today.

The Election Commission has issued a notice to Narendra Modi over his " khooni panja" and "zaalim haath" remarks, saying they prima facie violated the MCC.

Citing sub para (2) of Para 1 of the MCC, which provides that "criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, past record and works, the EC said unverified allegations and distortions should be avoided.

Modi was asked to reply to the EC notice by 5 p.m. on November 16, explaining why action should not be taken against him for violation of the MCC.

Modi had, during a campaign speech in Rajnandgaon on November 7, asked the people if they wanted to vote for a "Khooni Haath" (killer hand). Alleging that the three years of Congress rule in the state were marked by misery, the BJP star campaigner claimed that 'it was chief minister Raman Singh who saved Chhattisgarh from this cruel hand.