Promise of reservation incorporated in Congress election manifesto: Digvijay

Lucknow, Feb 16 (ANI): Defending Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma's statement on minority quota, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh on Thursday said that the promise of reservation was incorporated in the party's election manifesto.

"Reservation of minorities is an election promise made once in 2009, Congress election manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Again it is a part of our election manifesto for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections that we shall give reservation to the backward Muslims, backward minorities," Singh told the media here.

"So I think, by saying or mentioning the election promise made in the election manifesto, I am sure it is not a violation of Code of Conduct," he added.

Earlier, addressing a rally in Farrukhabad, Beni Prasad 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)