Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's remarks against Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul have triggered a war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.
Reacting to Modi's statement on Wednesday that the Congress president and her son were found 'unfit' for the job of a 'clerk' in a survey in Nandiad district, Congress spokesman Kapil Sibal said: "We condemn such low-level talk. I can't react to such talk."
BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan hit back saying the Congress is 'ultra sensitive' to any remarks against its president and insisted that the standards of using decent language in electioneering must apply to all in equal measure.
He charged that the Congress has repeatedly used unacceptable language against Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee vis-a-vis his role in the freedom struggle.
Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy talking to reporters in Srinagar said political parties must "conduct themselves in responsible manner" and if they "indulge in mudslinging and personal attacks they would be bringing disgrace to democracy."
Asked if the commission would take action against Modi, Krishna Murthy said the EC had not received any complaint so far.