EC completes hearing on Khurshid's minority promise

The Election Commission today completed its hearing in connection with the notice served on law minister Salman Khurshid over his promise of increasing sub-quota for backward minorities while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh.

The Election Commission on Friday completed its hearing in connection with the notice served on law minister Salman Khurshid over his promise of increasing sub-quota for backward minorities while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh.

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The Election Commission had issued a showcause notice to Khurshid for having promised that his party would provide nine per cent reservation to backward minorities from the existing 27% reservation meant for OBCs should it return to power in UP.

Khurshid had made the remarks on January 10 in Farrukhabad while campaigning for his wife Louise who is contesting as a Congress candidate from there. The notice was served after BJP complained against him for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by making such promises to woo minority voters.

Wrapping up the arguments for the law minister, his lawyer Abhishek Singhvi told the commission that Khurshid had not done anything wrong and in doing so was acting as an individual Congressman and not as a minister.

BJP also appeared before the Commission and sought stern action against the law minister for alleged violation of model code of conduct by wooing voters through such promises.