The Election Commission on Thursday directed filing of an FIR against Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani, Uttar Pradesh party leader Lalji Tandon and others involved in the production of the controversial party election CD allegedly making a reference to Babri and Godhra train arson of 2002.

The Election Commission had earlier decided to serve notice to the BJP over the CD brought out by its Uttar Pradesh unit and file cases against those involved in the matter under the Representation of People's Act.

The CD was brought out by the state unit in Lucknow apparently as part of saffron party's high-pitched Hindutva campaign for the assembly elections.

However, BJP Vice President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the CD was not released officially but was meant for the press and that the party was withholding it so that any portion found objectionable could be deleted.

Former Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh rushed to the Election Commission on Thursday morning to register a complaint against the release of what he called a 'poisonous CD' by the BJP in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and demanded that the party be derecognised.

Speaking to media outside the Election Commission office after his meeting with the commission, Singh accused the BJP of spreading the communal venom and now seeking apology."

They are now claiming they had not seen the CD and asking for apology," Singh said who has been very upset with the contents of the CD which attacks the Muslim community in particular.

The commission has issued notice to the party and directed the state election commission to register an FIR against those who have been involved in the making of the CD. Kesri Nath Tripathi, state president and Rajya Sabha MP Lallji Tandon could face the wrath of the Election Commission for violating the election code.

Senior officers of the party could not be contacted at the party headquarters. "Party President Rajnath Singhji would be back in Delhi at 5.30," media persons were told by a party functionary when asked about the whereabouts of the spokesperson that are normally available for giving party reaction on any development.

(With PTI Inputs)

Coverage: The battle for UP