EC pulls up Modi over 'khooni panja' remark

The Election Commission Thursday expressed its displeasure over the "tone, tenor and content" of BJP's prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi's "Khooni Panja" remark, and said it was aimed at the Congress and violated the model poll code.

"Whereas the tone, tenor and content of your impugned speech and the use of expressions 'Khooni Panja' and 'Zalim Haath' when read in the context of your whole speech, particularly the portions of your speech preceding and following the use of these expressions, leave no scope for doubt that the same refer to the complainant (Congress) and its reserved symbol and are violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct," the Election Commission said.

"The reference to political adversaries with expressions such as 'Khooni Panja' and 'Zalim Haath' can not but be construed as injurious to the cause of decorous political discourse," it said.

Noting the assurance given by Modi that he was "committed to all regulations/directions and Model Code of Conduct," the Election Commission said it "expresses its disapprobation in the matter, and expects that you (Modi) will stand by your commitment and be more careful in your public discourse in future."

The commission had granted time up to 11.30 a.m. Nov 20 to Modi to file his reply but it was submitted Nov 19.

The Bharatiya Janata Party had earlier sought a week's time to submit the reply to the commission's notice of Nov 13, saying Modi could not be consulted over the issue as he was busy campaigning for the party in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

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

He had made the alleged remark during a speech Nov 7 in Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh.

On Nov 10, the Congress had approached the commission, demanding stern action against Modi.