Are Cong-ruled states equally prone to communal violence as the rest? : Asked a chief editor of a news channel which cla..
Khurshid in trouble, EC sends letter to President, she directs PM for action

Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid is now bearing the brunt of
his irresponsible remarks. He had said that Sonia Gandhi
had burst into tears on seeing the Batla House encounter's
photograph implying its fakeness, thereby contradicting
the government stand. He also said that he sticks to his minority
quota remark even if EC hangs him till death. The remarks had
created uproar all around and BJP had raised the issue with the
Election Commission. Consequently, Election
commission shot a letter to the President requesting to
intervene. Following this, the President has directed the Prime
Minister to take necessary action. It'd be interesting to see as to
what action is taken. Still 5 phases of elections are pending in UP
and sacking Khurshid can cost dearly to Congress as it'd lose
Muslim votes. Keeping Khurshid would be tantamount to dishonouring
the President and the Election commission. All in all, Congress has
scored a major self-goal with the incident, with social networking
sites abuzz with the the talk that Sonia's imaginary tears are now
going to be real when UP election results come out.
This is the first time in the history of Election
Commission that it has taken such a step of writing to the
President against a Union Minister. Below is the full text
of the letter that EC sent to the President.
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.
The Union Minister for Law and Justice and Minority Affairs, Salman
Khurshid, who is also a leader of the Indian National Congress
Party, had made certain statements and announcements during the
course of his campaign in the state. One of them was to the effect
that the Congress would provide a quota of 9 per cent reservation
to the minorities within the existing quota of 27 per cent for
OBCs. He also indicated that Muslims having a sizeable population
will be benefited from this move.
Following complaints received from a political party that such
announcement was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, the
Commission, after due notice and hearing, passed an order on 9th
February, 2012 that Sh. Khurshid had indeed violated the MCC. The
following are the relevant observations contained in the Order:
"The Commission, therefore, cannot help expressing its deep anguish
and disappointment over his violation of model code of conduct. As
a Union Minister for Law and Minorities Affairs, he has an added
responsibility of ensuring that the model code of conduct is
observed in letter and spirit so that elections are conducted in a
free and fair manner and all political parties enjoy a level
playing field in the matter of their election campaigns.
In the above circumstances, the Commission hereby censures Salman
Khurshid andhopes and expects that such violations of model code of
conduct would not be repeated by him in future."
Sh. Khurshid has been seen in television media today (11th February
2012) making statements to the effect that he would pursue the line
of his earlier announcement irrespective of whatever the Commission
directs. 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 above response of a Union Minister and that too, the Law
Minister, to the Commission's decision in a MCC case has created a
disturbing situation. 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. The full Commission hence
deliberated on the matter in an emergency meeting, this afternoon,
while being concerned about the fact that Sh. Khurshid's action
could vitiate free and fair poll in Uttar Pradesh. The Commission
is perturbed because the undermining of its constitutionally
mandated duties has come from the Law Minister who has a direct
responsibility to uphold and strengthen the ECI rather than to
denigrate it. Hence, we find the immediate need to draw attention
of the executive to the fact that the onus of holding free and fair
polls falls on all organs of the State. 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.
With respectful regards,
(SY Quraishi)
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