TNN

Mumbai, Mar 24: After Varun Gandhi, it's the Thackeray 'khaandan' from Maharashtra to earn the EC's wrath. However, the Shiv Sena responded to reports of a possible EC rap on Uddhav Thackeray's knuckles with studied caution.

There were reports on Monday that the district electoral office has asked the Kala Chowkie police station to start proceedings against the Sena executive present for a remark in his speech against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Uddhav spoke at the Shiv Sena-BJP rally in Mumbai on Friday.

Uddhav's estranged cousin, MNS chief Raj Thackeray too has invited a flak from the Nashik collector for his alleged provocative speech in the temple city last Saturday.

"We haven't received a formal notice from the Election Commission. It would be inappropriate to make a comment on the issue," said Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe, MLC, on Monday. There were reports that the district electoral office has begun proceedings against Uddhav under the Representation of People's Act, 1952. The EC found Uddhav's anti-PM soundbytes objectionable, it is understood.

The district electoral office began to look into the case on Saturday, a day after the Sena scion's address at a saffron conclave held at the Sun Mill compound, near Sewri. BJP president Rajnath Singh too was present at the jamboree.

After going through CDs of Uddhav's speech, the district electoral office has come to the conclusion that the Sena leader has violated the model code of conduct. The EC code of conduct about hate speech are stringent.

"Meanwhile, the Sena on Monday registered a formal complaint with the Election Commission in New Delhi against Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari for his 'provocative' remarks against Uddhav Thackeray," said Gorhe.