Beni does Khurshid, Cong says it’s quota talk time

The Election Commission may have pulled up Union law minister Salman Khurshid for his 9% minority sub-quota promise, and he may have apologised to bring an end to this row. But the Congress is in no mood to give up this quota talk in the middle of its election campaign in UP.

“We respect all constitutional authorities. But then to talk about the promises referred to in the manifesto is the most suitable thing at the moment,” said Mohan Prakash, chairperson of the party’s steering committee for Uttar Pradesh.

He was defending Union steel minister Beni Prasad Verma’s repetition of the promises made by Khurshid. Addressing a rally at Kaimganj in Farukkhabad on Wednesday night, Verma said, “Reservation for Muslims will be increased and if the EC wants, it can now issue notice to me.”

Wooing the minority vote is an important component of the party’s revival strategy in UP, and the EC’s stance notwithstanding it does not see any reason to make any changes at this juncture.

“If we do not promise to improve the lot of minorities, then what are we expected to say during election campaigns? Can we deny that the minorities are a disadvantaged lot and deserve special treatment,” said a senior party functionary.