The Election Commission has asked Modi to reply by 16 November to its notice.

Vehemently denying that BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi violated the model code with his 'khooni panja' remark during an election rally on 7 November at Dongargarh Rajnandgaon in Rajasthan, the BJP today said that party will go through the Election Commission notice and will reply in detail on time.

"We have received the notice this morning. However, I underline that in our understanding there is not any violation of the Model Code of Conduct by Narendra Modi whether in his speech or statement. But we will give a detailed reply on time," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters in New Delhi.

The Election Commission has asked Modi to reply by 16 November to its notice. The Election Commission said:

"Whereas, it has been, prima facie, observed that by making the aforesaid statements, you have violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, referred to above; Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to explain by 5 pm of 16th November, 2013 as to why action should not be taken against you for aforesaid violation of Model Code of Conduct. lf no reply is received within the prescribed time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say and the Commission will take appropriate action without any further reference to you."

The BJP spokesperson also lashed out at the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly poking in matters concerning the BJP.

"Rahul should focus on Congress rather than the BJP. He is trying to play the communal card. Like other Congress leaders Rahul is also playing appeasement politics," Sitharaman said.