As controversy rages over the proposed nine per cent quota for minorities, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened Friday to reassure chief election commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi that the election commission’s (EC’s) autonomy was “never in question”, and all his apprehensions would be taken care of.
Union law minister Salman Khurshid, who had proposed the nine per cent minority quota inviting EC wrath, created a stir by claiming his ministry had administrative control over EC. This led CEC to complain to PM that the minister was undermining EC’s authority.
Mr Khurshid, however, was unapologetic and stuck to his stand. He said he had “no regrets over the statement”. He had stated in a television interview in the context of Team Anna’s disapproval of the government retaining control of CBI under Lokpal Bill that “every institution is under some control”.
Following this, Dr Quraishi wrote a letter to PM on December 29 complaining that Mr Khurshid was trying to undermine the authority of EC. CEC said Mr Khurshid’s statement had raised doubts.
PM replied on January 5 that the functional autonomy and the constitutional status of EC were deeply respected by the government and no one could undermine the commission’s independence. “Let me assure you that our government is fully committed to upholding the functional autonomy that the Constitution guarantees to the election commission.”
Mr Khurshid has come in the line of fire of EC for the second time in recent days. On Tuesday, he was served a show cause notice for promising 9 per cent quota to Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions within the existing 27 per cent reservation meant for OBCs while campaigning in Farrukhabad for his wife.