Updated on Friday, March 27, 2009, 00:00 IST

New Delhi, March 27: The Election Commission on Friday served a notice on Congress Minority Cell chief Imraan Kidwai for making certain inflammatory statement at an election meeting in Chandigarh on March 15.

Noting that his statement amounted to "promoting enmity" among different groups on grounds of religion, the EC sought an explanation from Kidwai as to why action should not be taken against him for violation of the Model Code of the Conduct.

The EC said it gave Kidwai two days' time to respond from the date of receipt of the notice.

The Commission observed that none of the leaders, including in-charge of Chandigarh party unit Mohsina Kidwai, senior party leader Pawan Kumar Bansal, present at the meeting contradicted the statement.

It said the Congress party did not even issue a statement to dissociate itself from the views expressed by Kidwai.

The EC's action comes in the backdrop of a complaint lodged by the BJP against Kidwai.

Bureau Report