New Delhi, Dec 8: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today sought more time from the Election Commission (EC) to file his reply to its notice seeking an explanation for his campaign speech justifying the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a fake encounter.

In a letter, Mr Modi's lawyer sought a ''few hours time'' to file his reply today, EC sources said here.

The Commission, which held prima facie that the Chief Minister's remarks amounted to indulging in activities which could aggravate communal hatred and tension, had earlier asked Mr Modi to file his response by 1100 hrs today.

The EC told the Chief Minister that his campaign speech at Mangrol on December 4 had come to its notice in the wake of a complaint filed by social activist Teesta Setalvad alleging that the speech amounted to an open exhortation to violence and misuse of religion for political ends.

''The Commission, prima facie, is of the view that the references to late Sohrabuddin and linking his name to terrorism, made in the speech, amounts to indulging in activity which may aggravate existing differences, creating mutual hatred and causing tension between different communities, ''the EC had said.

Mr Modi's speech would also attract the violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the sources added.


UNI