Khurshid violated model code by minorities sub-quota remarks: EC

The Election Commission today censured Union Minister for Law and Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid for his remarks on sub-quota for minorities finding them to be a violation of the model code of conduct for elections.

Khurshid, while campaigning for his wife Louise, a Congress candidate from Farrukhabad assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh, had promised the electorate last month that the party would increase the sub-quota for minorities to 9%, out of the 27% Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation.

The EC order came on BJP's complaint about Khurshid's remarks, asking the Commission to take action against him for violation of the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission - comprising Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi and Election Commissioners VS Sampath and HS Brahma, in its 15-page order, held that Khurshid had violated the model code of conduct and hoped and expected he would not repeat such violations.

"The Commission hereby censures Shri Salman Khurshid and hopes and expects that such violations of the model code of conduct would not be repeated by him in future," said the EC order.

It said "Salman Khurshid has violated the model code of conduct by making the abovesaid promise. The Commission, therefore, cannot help expressing its deep anguish and disappointment over his violation of model code of conduct.

"As a Union Minister for Law and Minority Affairs, he has an added responsibility of ensuring that the model code of conduct is observed in letter and spirit so that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner and all political parties enjoy a level-playing field in the matter of their election campaigns," the EC said.