The Election Commission has reprimanded Gujarat Congress chief Arjun Modhwadia for violating the model code of conduct with his “monkey” comment against chief minister Narendra Modi.

Modhwadia had likened Modi to a monkey, the PM to a lion and said, “Every day he repeats Dr Manmohan Singh ...Manubhai is sitting here...He is infected with rabies... Manubhai, he has been bitten by rabid dog...”

He was also pulled up for raking up the issue of Modi’s married life during campaigning.

As per the Model Code, “criticism of other political parties and candidates, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme...and work. Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism of all aspects of private life...”