New Delhi, Feb 16: The Election Commission is examining whether Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma's remarks on the minorities sub-quota daring the poll body during a rally in Farrukhabad last night were a violation of the model code of conduct.
Verma while addressing a poll rally in the presence of Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, had said “Reservation for Muslims will be increased and if the EC wants, it can now issue notice to me.”
Noting Verma's remarks in Farrukhabad, the Election Commission was examining the matter after having sought for the tapes from a private news channel.
“We are in possession of the CD of the minister's speech. The Election Commission is examining the matter,” said an EC official here today.
Verma in his speech had also supported Khurshid, saying he was “honestly fighting for the Muslims”.
He said that if Congress comes to power, then they would work for more reservation.
Khurshid had last week triggered a controversy by stating that he would continue to speak on nine per cent sub-quota for minorities even if the Election Commission “hangs me”.
The EC had yesterday put a lid on the standoff with Khurshid after he expressed regrets over his “defiance” of the poll body over his remarks on subquota for minorities.
