BJP terms minority quota issue a 'planned strategy' of Congress to woo Muslims

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Reacting to Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma's statement on minority quota, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has termed the incident as a 'planned strategy' of the Congress to woo Muslims.

Talking to reporters here, BJP leader Balbir Punj said: "Congress ministers are making a mockery of the Model Code of Conduct. They are working under the shelter of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They are weakening our democracy."

"This government is spreading communalism in country. They are trying to divide India on the basis of caste," he added.

Punj further said that 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."

Earlier, addressing a rally in Farrukhabad, 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 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 on his statement.

Earlier, Law Minister Salman Khurshid had promised an increase of nine per cent sub-quota 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)