New Delhi/Lucknow, Mar 13 : As the Election Commission slapped a notice on Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav for violating the Model Code of Conduct, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also rapped Mulayam. The Congress, however, has played soft with its key ally.

Demanding strict action against Mulayam, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar said: "The way money was distributed and Mulayam standing on the dais and shouting ''distribute more'' and the party workers were throwing among people bundles of 100 rupee notes. This is a black day in Indian democracy. Not only it violated the code of conduct but in a way it is a warning to the Election Commission."

On the other hand, Congress party underplayed the controversy, taking care not to annoy its key ally.

"Election Commission has issued a notice to Mulayam. I am sure he will respond to it appropriately. It is between Mulayam and the Election Commission and leave it between the two of them," said Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari.

Menawhile, Mulayam has denied that he intentionally violated the poll code.

"I have not given any money. People came and sang and as a gesture we gave them money. It is not that we gave them 50 or 100 rupees, we just gave them 10 or 12 rupees. There were 10 to 12 people in the team," Yadav said in Lucknow.

The Election Commission has asked Mulayam to explain by Saturday why wads of notes were distributed during the Holi celebrations at his Saifai village in Etawah district on Wednesday in violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Taking congnisance of video footage telecast by television channels, the Election Commission served a notice on the SP leader.

The Election Commission said the "act of bribing a large number of persons in a public gathering is clear violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

"It is apparent that distribution of money in your presence has been made with a view of soliciting votes and support for yourself and your party," the EC said in its notice. (ANI)