New Delhi, April 23 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, saying that he prima facie violated the model code of conduct when he called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist" during a press conference in Chennai a day before. Kharge had made the comment during a press conference on the final day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu elections. He later defended himself, saying he meant the PM was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country. "Whereas, the commission is prima- facie of the opinion that Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also a star campaigner of Indian National Congress in the general election to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly has violated the aforesaid provisions of the MCC and relevant instructions issued by the commission," the ECI notice said. "Now, therefore, commission gives you an opportunity to explain your stand in respect of the above within 24 hours from the issuance of this notice. Take notice that in the event of no response from your side within the time limit stipulated, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you," it added. On Tuesday, Kharge made the remark while criticising the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. "How do these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of [former chief minister CN] Annadurai... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist...He doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice. And these people are joining them, which means that they are weakening democracy, weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamarajar, [EV Ramaswamy]Periyar, Kalaignar [late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi] and Baba Saheb Ambedkar," Kharge said. However, when asked later about his remark, Kharge said he meant the PM was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of thecountry....