The Election Commission has ordered the removal of BJP leaders Anurag Thakur, Parvesh Verma from list of star campaigners for Delhi polls over controversial remarks, according to wires.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Delhi CEO Office had sought a report from the North West district's election officer in connection with a rally by BJP leader and Union minister Anurag Thakur during which he egged on the crowd to raise an incendiary slogan that 'traitors should be shot,' after he lashed out at anti-CAA protesters, officials said.

The incident has triggered a row, drawing sharp reaction form the Congress which has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) take action against Thakur.

BJP MP Parvesh Verma Wikimedia Commons/Vice President's Secretariat

BJP MP Parvesh Verma on Tuesday said what happened in Kashmir with Kashmiri Pandits could happen in Delhi, warning that lakhs of anti-CAA protesters in Shaheen Bagh could enter homes to kill and rape women.

'What happened in Kashmir with Kashmiri Pandits could happen in Delhi also. Lakhs of people gather at Shaheen Bagh, they could enter houses rape and kill your sisters and daughters. The people need to decide now,' Verma said.

The Election Commission on Wednesday issued a showcause notice to BJP MP Parvesh Verma for his controversial statement, saying prime facie the remarks had the potential of disturbing harmony.

The EC asked him to respond to the notice before noon on Thursday. It said if he fails to respond, the EC will take a decision without any further reference to him.

On Monday, lashing out at anti-CAA protesters, Union minister Anurag Thakur courted a controversy at a rally after he egged on the crowd to raise an incendiary slogan that 'traitors should be shot.'

In a purported video posted on social media channels, Thakur is seen shouting 'desh ke gaddaron ko' to which the crowd responds with 'goli maro sa*** ko' (shoot down the traitors).

Thakur was addressing the meeting in support of BJP candidate from Rithala, Manish Chaudhary.

He raised the pitch of nationalism as he linked Opposition parties with anti-CAA protests in Shaheen Bagh and with alleged anti-India slogans, and then asked the crowd to raise the controversial slogan.

This story is still developing, and updates will be added soon.