NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and said that his "panauti" remark against Prime Minister Naredra Modi was "below the belt".“Whenever below the belt language was used about the Prime Minister, people have given a befitting reply in whichever state in the country.

I am confident that voters of Telangana would give a fitting reply through voting on this language which is below the belt,” Amit Shah said while replying to a question posed at a press meet.Rahul Gandhi calls PM Modi a 'Panauti' during campaign in Rajasthan pollsThe Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Rahul Gandhi for his 'panauti', 'pickpocket' and loan-waiver remarks targeting PM Modi.

Rahul Gandhi has been asked to respond by Saturday evening.

The poll body has reminded the Congress leader that the Model Code of Conduct prohibits leaders from making unverified allegations against political rivals.The EC notice said the expression "panauti" ex-facie falls in the equity of the prohibition of section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, dealing with corrupt practices.

The EC action came after the BJP had approached the poll panel seeking action against Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for their remarks against the Prime Minister.

"The remarks of Kharge and Gandhi, who are indulging in spreading a web of lies and are habitual offenders, call for initiating criminal proceedings against these offenders and strict action as they have no respect for moral values in their conduct and even for the electoral laws as well as the Model Code of Conduct guidelines," the BJP had said in its memorandum to the EC.Rahul Gandhi had, at a rally, claimed that PM means 'Panauti Modi' suggesting that the Indian team had lost the World Cup final against Australia as Prime Minister Modi was present in the stadium.

The BJP leaders had reacted strongly to Rahul's jibe and had called him "mandbudhi", shameless and anti-national.Speaking at another election rally, Rahul had said, “Pickpockets always come in groups of three.

He never comes alone.

The first person tries to distract you by saying something unconventional.

Then comes the second person, his colleague, who picks the pocket and the third person keeps a watch on the victim.

He particularly monitors the victim to see if he is resisting.

If he does resist, then the third person attacks and threatens the victim.

This is the way pickpockets operate.

The one who diverts attention is Narendra Modi, the one who is pickpocketing is Adani and the person who threatens is Amit Shah.”