Muslim quota row: EC notice puts Congress on the defensive

Congress went on the defensive on Tuesday in the wake of Election Commission's notice to Salman Khurshid's wife, a party candidate in Uttar Pradesh, for the Union Minister's promise of nine per cent sub-quota for backward Muslims while campaigning in her constituency.

"Election Commission is a Constitutional body. We respect every decision taken by it. We do not comment on its orders", party spokesman Rashid Alvi told reporters.

At the same time, he said the Congress in its manifesto for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections had promised to give reservation to backward Muslims and implement the Sachar Committee report and the Rangnath Mishra Committee report on minorities.

"....If the Election Commission feels that it is not the appropriate time to make the announcement (by Salman Khurshid), it is well within its authority. We do not comment on EC orders. We also advise other parties not to comment on Ec orders."

His remarks came in response to a volley of questions in the wake of UP Election office's show-cause notice to Congress nominee from Farrukhabad Louise Khurshid over Law minister Salman Khurshid's promise during campaigning for 9% quota to Muslims.

Louise is the wife of the Union Minister who is a Lok Sabha member from that place.

Wooing Muslim voters at a poll meeting a couple of days back in the constituency, the Minister had said the Congress would provide nine per cent sub-quota out of the existing OBC quota for backward Muslims if it was voted to power.

Utilising the occasion to attack BJP for its charge that the Congress was practising communal politics, Alvi said, "It is a baseless allegation. It is the responsibility of all concerned to take care of the minorities."