EC stays minority quota in 5 poll-bound states

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday directed the Centre to stop the implementation of the 4.5% quota for minorities in the five election-bound states till the poll process is over. HT reports. Have not violated poll code, says Khurshid | Muslims quota: BJP says 'second partition', Cong hits back | Uma's criticism 'highly deplorable': Cong

The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday directed the Centre to stop the implementation of the 4.5% quota for minorities in the five election-bound states till the poll process is over.

The government had announced its decision to carve out the 4.5% sub-quota from the 27% reservation for OBCs on December 22, two days before poll dates were out and the model code of conduct kicked in.

In a retrospective decision, the EC has made the code applicable to the quota decision and instructed the ministry of personnel not to implement it in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

This comes fresh on the heels of the commission’s notice to law minister Salman Khurshid for talking about doubling the sub-quota to 9%.

“It has been brought to our notice that the Centre has carved out a 4.5% sub-quota for minorities in violation of the code of conduct and it should be stopped,” an EC statement said.

Commission officials said the objective was to ensure a “level playing field” for all parties. The panel felt the government’s decision would impact the poll process in UP, where Muslims constitute 18% of the population.

“We will represent in an appropriate manner... to convince the commission there is no illegality or impropriety. We are confident our point of view will be understood and accepted,” Congress’ Abhishek Singhvi said.

The BJP has called the quota decision a “second Partition”.