After Salman Khurshid, Beni Prasad Verma makes Muslim quota promise

Farrukhabad, Feb 16 (ANI): After Law Minister Salman Khurshid, another Congress leader and Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma has fuelled the minority quota war by promising reservation for Muslims.

Addressing a rally here, Verma said, "We will make sure that enhanced reservation is given to backwards and the minorities if the Congress party comes to power in Uttar Pradesh."

He also said that Muslims have not got their dues and the erstwhile non-Congress governments in the state have done nothing for their betterment.

He even said that he is least bothered and will not deviate an inch from his stand on the minority quota even if the Election Commission decides to take action against him.

Earlier, Khurshid had during a poll-campaign in Uttar Pradesh promised that if the Congress Party was voted to power in the state, the sub-quota for Muslims would be increased to nine per cent within the 27 percent reservation meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) slapped Khurshid with a notice, saying his remarks had violated the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission sought the "immediate and decisive" intervention of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil after it charged Khurshid with "improper and unlawful" defiance of its orders under which he was censured for promising sub-quota for minorities.

President Patil has sent Election Commission's complaint against Khurshid to the Prime Minister's Office for appropriate action.

However, the Election Commission on Wednesday put a lid on the standoff with Khurshid after he expressed regrets over his defiance of the poll body over his remarks. (ANI)