Quota

Salman writes to EC, says quota manifesto issue

New Delhi: Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, who has been facing the Election Commission heat over the issue of minority quota, on Monday wrote to the constitutional body. He told the election body that he respects the institution and also the Election Commission for the decision it takes. The Law Minister further mentioned in his letter that the minority quota was a manifesto issue, calling the entire controversy unfortunate. Meanwhile,...

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Khurshid Law Minister or 'lawless' minister: BJP

Chandauli: Lashing out at Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his spat with the EC over the issue of quota for minorities, BJP President Nitin Gadkari on Monday termed him as a "lawless" minister. "He (Khurshid) is not the Law minister but lawless minister," Gadkari told an addressing an election meeting here. He also blamed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not sacking the minister. Khurshid had told an election meeting...

Khurshid free to express his views: Priyanka

New Delhi: In what could be a potential embarrassment for the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi said on Monday that Salman Khurshid was "free" to express his opinions and so was the Election Commission. Referring to the ongoing row between the Union Law Minister and the Election Commission over a Muslim sub-quota remark that he made during a rally in the state, Priyanka said that people were free to express their feelings...

PM may intervene in Khurshid-EC row

New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to discuss with senior ministers and party leaders the Election Commission complaint against Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his "aggressive" stance on quota for Muslims in Uttar Pradesh, Congress insiders said on Monday. Khurshid, who on Sunday spoke to Manmohan Singh on the issue, is also likely to issue a clarification on his stance. Congress sources said the prime minister was likely...

Salman Khurshid mum on apology to EC

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gets set to ask Law Minister Salman Khurshid to explain his stand on his standoff with the Election Commission, CNN-IBN asks some hitherto unanswered questions. Did Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid make the Muslim sub-quota remark because the Congress desperation for Muslim vote has grown in UP? Was it because Khurshid's wife is facing a tough fight in Farroukhabad? Why has the Government stayed silent ...

Khurshid tightlipped on EC's move against him

Lucknow: In the thick of controversy over his remarks on minorities' sub-quota, Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday refused to comment on Election Commission's move seeking "immediate and decisive" intervention of President Pratibha Patil. "I will not talk to anyone.... Do I refuse you (media)?... When I have to say something I say it," Khurshid told reporters when asked about the EC's recommendation on Saturday State Congress leader Abid Hussain...

Cong pulls up Khurshid, to issue clarification

New Delhi: The Congress has reportedly pulled up Law Minister Salman Khurshid for taking on the Election Commission saying it expected its leaders to respect and work within parameters of the Constitution and institutions. Sources told CNN-IBN that the government or the Law Minister was expected to issue a clarification saying that he never meant to show any disrespect to the EC, that he valued the Commission as an institution...

Oppn raises pitch, wants PM to sack Khurshid

New Delhi: Hours after Election Commissioner wrote a letter to President Pratibha Patil against Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, the BJP on Sunday said that Khurshid was making fun of the integrity of the Election Commission. "It is an open violation of the code of conduct. It is unfortunate. It shows rebelliousness. Will Sonia Gandhi not speak up now? For the first time ever a minorities minister, who also happens...

Full text: EC writes to President against Salman Khurshid

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday wrote a letter to the President against Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his defiant attitude on the poll code. Here's the full text of the letter: Respected Rashtrapati Ji, The Commission is approaching you with serious dismay and a deep sense of urgency that requires your kind intervention in the midst of the poll process in the state of Uttar Pradesh....

Khurshid defiant, violating code: EC to President

New Delhi: In an unprecedented action, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday wrote to President Pratibha Patil against Union Law Minister Khurshid's alleged defiance of model code of conduct. Khurshid had dared the Election Commission to act against him over his comment on Muslim sub-quota. The Election Commission said that it was shocked that Khurshid chose to be defiant and aggressive. In its letter, SY Quraishi wrote, "The Commission is...

'Will ensure rights of Muslims even if EC hangs me'

Farukkhabad: Sticking to his stand on minorities, Congress leader Salman Khurshid has said he would ensure the rights of backward Muslims even if the Election Commission "hangs" him. Addressing an election rally in Khatakpur locality last night, the Law Minister said that EC had censured him, but even if the "Commission hangs him or does anything else, he would ensure that people of Pasmanda community get their rights". "Can't I...

EC pulls up Khurshid over quota promise

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) has censured Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid for his remarks on sub-quota for minorities. The Election Commission said it expects Khurshid not to repeat such violations of the model code in future. Khurshid had made the remarks on January 10 in Farrukhabad of increasing the sub-quota for backward minorities while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. EC says Khurshid violated the model code of conduct by...

Cong trying to divide Muslims on quota: Maya

Ballia/Ghazipur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Wednesday charged the Congress with hatching a conspiracy to divide the Muslim community in the name of reservation. Addressing election meetings, the BSP supremo attacked Congress, saying it has never been the well-wisher of Muslims and is, therefore, trying to "instigate and misguide" them on the issue of reservation. "In reality, Congress is trying to use Muslims as vote bank," she said, charging...

Khurshid's sub-quota promise his personal view: Cong

New Delhi: With its manifesto in Uttar Pradesh remaining silent on the exact percentage of Muslim sub quota, Congress on Wednesday suggested the announcement of nine per cent reservation to backward minorities by Law Minister Salman Khurshid was his personal view. "He (Khurshid) is a minister. He has expressed his views. Being a minister, he can give his views on many issues. "But when all these views are merged together...