New Delhi:  The Election Commission on Thursday issued notices to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress, days after the two rivals traded allegations of Model Code violations in poll speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi. The poll panel - whose response had been awaited as a litmus test on the conduct of a free and fair election in the country - has sought a response from the presidents of the two parties - the BJP's JP Nadda and the Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge - by 11 am Monday, April 29. It is significant that neither notice named the senior leaders against whom complaints had been made - i.e., the Prime Minister and Rahul Gandhi. Also, each notice contained copies of the rival's complaint. It is also significant that, for the first time, party bosses have been held accountable for violations in a campaign speech. This is under Section 77 of the Representation of People Act, which allows parties to name 'star campaigners' and they, therefore, have been called on to regulate their speeches.