BJP complains to EC over Beni Prasad's Muslim quota remark

New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday registered a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Congress leader and Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma for allegedly promising a sub-quota reservation for Muslims during an election rally in Farrukhabad.

The BJP said the Congress leaders were repeatedly violating the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct in Uttar Pradesh.

"If a single incident would have happened, then "we can say that it's a mistake, but Congress leaders are criticizing the Election Commission again and again," BJP leader Balbir Punj told media here on Thursday.

Addressing a rally in Farrukhabad on Thursday, 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 Muslims had not got their due, and added that non-Congress governments in the state have done nothing to improve their lot.

Verma said that he was least bothered about the Election Commission taking action against him over his statement.

Earlier, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid had promised an increase of nine per cent in sub-quota reservation for Muslims within the 27 percent reservation meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

The Election Commission thereafter issued a notice to Khurshid, saying his remarks had violated the Model Code of Conduct.

It 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 a sub-quota for minorities.

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

However, the Election Commission put a lid on the standoff after Khurshid expressed regret for his defiance of the poll body. (ANI)