The Election Commission on Friday censured AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks accusing the BJP of spreading communal hatred in the capital.

The poll panel, which had issued notice to Kejriwal on January 17 following a complaint by the Bharatiya Janata Party's Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay, said the Aam Aadmi Party leader's comments violated the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission had issued a showcause notice to the Aam Aadmi Party leader for "prima facie" violating the Model Code of Conduct with his remarks alleging that BJP is trying to incite communal violence in the capital city.

The EC had given the former Delhi chief minister time till 3 pm on January 20 to respond to the showcause, failing which the poll body will take a decision without any further reference to him. It referred to a complaint by BJP state unit president Satish Upadhyay in which he had alleged that in a press conference the AAP leader had claimed that the BJP is trying to incite communal violence in Delhi and has spread communal violence in Trilokpuri and Nandnagri and is also trying to do so in Nangloi and Bawana.

The EC also referred to his alleged remarks that BJP is also responsible for attacks on churches in Delhi.