 |  |  | | (From top) Khurshid, Patil and Quraishi |
New Delhi, Feb. 11: The Election Commission this evening took the extraordinary step of approaching the President to seek "immediate and decisive intervention" against Union law minister Salman Khurshid for his defiance on minority reservation. Chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi made the unparalleled appeal in a two-page letter to President Pratibha Patil, despatched by a special messenger and marked "topmost priority". The commission feels the law minister's conduct is in clear violation of the model code of conduct and it is unfairly impacting the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. Censured for statements on the minority quota, Khurshid was quoted as saying "even if the Election Commission hangs me, I will ensure that Muslims get their due". The poll panel used strong words in its communication to the President. "The commission is approaching you with serious dismay and a deep sense of urgency," Quraishi wrote. The letter was sent after a full meeting of the commission that authorised its chief to resort to the rarest of rare action of seeking redress from the highest office of the land. The President, who cannot take any executive decision on her own and especially in the absence of a precedent, forwarded the letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who will have to advise Rashtrapati Bhavan. Singh cannot seek the law ministry's advice as Khurshid holds the portfolio and may ask the attorney-general to guide him. Ironically, the attorney-general also works under the law ministry. The Congress left it to the government to deal with the situation. The party is angry with Khurshid for his recent utterances, particularly his remark on the Batla House encounter in which he referred to Sonia Gandhi being in tears after seeing photographs of the incident. However, the last word has not yet been said on the quota controversy and the party is still assessing the nature of its impact in Uttar Pradesh, where the second round of polls was held today. The Congress usually is not averse to the quota issue remaining in focus. Khurshid, too, would not mind this controversy overtaking the Batla House debate which could polarise some sections against the party. A controversy relating to Muslim welfare may also help Khurshid gain greater acceptance among the disadvantaged sections of the community as he has often been seen as elitist and too sophisticated to be a mass leader. Poll chief Quraishi enjoys a good personal rapport with Khurshid. Khurshid has been extremely aggressive throughout the discourse and has stoutly defended his announcement of 9 per cent reservation for Muslims if the Congress came to power in Uttar Pradesh. Quraishi wrote to the President that "the commission is quite concerned that the delicate balance of functions between constitutional authorities has come under a strain, because of the minister's improper and unlawful action. The Election Commission of India finds it necessary and unavoidable to turn to you at this juncture for immediate and decisive intervention so that the ongoing general election to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is conducted, and this commission discharges its functions, in accordance with the Constitution and the law." Pointing out that the panel had censured Khurshid on Thursday, the CEC expressed shock at seeing the minister assert on TV today that he would continue to champion the cause for which he was reprimanded. "In fact, the Union minister goes on to say that he would stick to his line, 'even if they hang me'. We have found the tone and tenor of the Union minister dismissive and utterly contemptuous about the commission's lawful direction to him, besides the fact that his action is damaging the level playing field in the election," the commission said. "The commission is shocked that instead of being remorseful about the violation of the model code, that carries the consensus of all political parties and the sanction of the Supreme Court, the minister has chosen to be defiant and aggressive. This is unprecedented." | 
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment