Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: BJP`s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi replied to the Election Commission on Tuesday on using the term `khooni panja` (bloodied hand) during an election rally.
In his nine-page reply filed this evening before the Commission, a day ahead of the deadline, Modi said he has only exercised his right of free speech by criticising the policies and work of Congress and thus has not violated the Model Code.
"I am of the clear opinion that I have not violated the said provision," he said.
He added that the usage of the term is figurative and was used as a colloquial metaphor.
Modi said even though he has himself been subjected to much criticism, including use of abuses against him, he has maintained the diginity of political discourse and has not made personal attacks on any of his opponents.
Though Modi has sent a reply to the EC, a delegation of senior BJP leaders led by party vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi will meet Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and two other Election Commissioners tomorrow to hand over a copy of Modi`s reply officially.
The EC had issued a notice to Modi for alleged poll code violation over his `khooni panja` remark and had asked him to explain by 5 pm on November 16 as to why action should not be initiated against him.
A copy of the video CD of Modi`s speech of November 7 in Dongargarh Rajnandgaon of Chhattisgarh was obtained by the Commission. The Congress had moved the EC on November 10 demanding stern action against the Gujarat CM at a rally.
The Congress had said that Modi`s language showed that he had intentionally used the abusive words against the party and that his remarks were meant to cause fear amongst the people.
With PTI inputs
