New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS): The Election Commission Wednesday issued notice to BJP prime minister candidate Narendra Modi over remarks he made at a rally in Chhattisgarh, terming the Congress election symbol, the hand, the "khooni panja" (bloodied paw).

The remark was made Thursday last during an election rally at Dongargarh in Chhattisgarh.

Modi has also used the term "jalim haath" (cruel hand) to describe the Congress symbol.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, maintained there was no violation of the election code of conduct. "The Election Commission notice has reached us. We will go through the details and respond," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said. She added she wished to clarify that there was "no violation of the code of conduct in his (Modi's) statement".

The Congress complained to the Election Commission that Modi's comment was "intemperate, malicious and defamatory".

"The use of the expression ;khooni panja; is extremely significant and deplorable and has an effect of terrorising the public at large against the Congress," the party said in its petition.