The Congress on Friday asked the Election Commission to bar Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning in Kerala for the May 16 assembly polls following his remarks comparing the state to Somalia.

In a memorandum submitted to the poll panel, the party also sought “appropriate action” against Modi for violating the model code of conduct.

“It is a matter of common knowledge that Kerala is above the national average in almost all parameters of economic growth and human resource development. Rather, it is possibly the only state in India which stands shoulder-to-shoulder with western nations in quality of life.

“Yet, Mr. Modi, only in an attempt to make a popular and interesting sound byte, compared Kerala to Somalia that is heavily reeling under poverty and internal strife and is known only for piracy, crimes and anarchy,” it said.

Accusing the prime minister, “in his attempt to malign the Congress” having “rather maligned the entire populace/electorate of state of Kerala by making statements based on unverified, baseless facts lowering the dignity of the chair he holds”, it said “Appropriate Action should be taken against Mr. Modi for violating Model Code of Conduct.”

“And prohibit him from campaigning in Kerala during the ongoing assembly elections,” the Congress said in its memorandum.