The Election Commission on Wednesday took “serious note” of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “terrorist” and issued him with a “stern notice”, officials said. He has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours, they said.

The move comes after a BJP delegation comprising Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, approached the Election Commission earlier in the day, demanding “strictest action” against the Congress president.