CD not released by the party: BJP

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) The BJP today asserted it had not violated the Election Commission's model code of conduct and urged the Commission to withdraw the notice issued to it on the controversial CD released by the party at Lucknow.

A delegation of BJP leadership, which met the Central Election Commission this morning under the leadership of BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, said in its reply that the contentious CD referred to in the EC notice was not official nor was it seen or approved by the BJP leadership.

The release of this CD was not an act committed by the party but it was an individual lapse, he said. The party totally complies with the election code.

The party had taken corrective and punitive steps against the individual who was found guilty, he said pointing to the removal of Uttar Pradesh unit BJP spokesperson Manoj Mishra after the release of the CD.

Mr Naqvi accused the ''secular brigade'' of defaming and maligning the BJP in the Godhra carnage and its aftermath. He said The brigade was decisively answered by the people of Gujarat at that time and we are confident the people of UP too will be giving a befitting reply in the coming elections.'' The BJP has filed its reply in accordance with the EC notice, which has asked the party to file its reply before 1700 hrs today.

A group of senior leaders consisting of BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior leaders M Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley met this morning to finalise the draft reply.

UNI