IT looks like all is well when you break the poll code, if you later on are willing to apologise. The Election Commission (EC) put the UPA Law Minister Salman Khurshid on the dock when the latter made the ministry quota remark while campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. The matter came to a head when the EC complained to the President who sent its letter to the prime minister. It was only then – obviously after advice from the PM – that Khurshid tendered an apology. The EC accepted the apology and the matter was closed.
Just a couple of days later another UPA minister – a Congress leader campaigning in Uttar Pradesh – also made the minority code remark, knowing fully well that he was breaking the poll code. He was addressing a rally at that time and he dared the EC to take action. The BJP-led a delegation to the EC and asked for strict action against the minister, Beni Prasad Verma. The poll panel has sent a notice to the minister. In the meanwhile the minister retracted his offensive statements and said it was “a slip of tongue”. The video readings of his speech clearly show that the explanation given by him is farcical. The two Congress ministers have accomplished their mission: they have been able to get across a message that there would be a special minority quota for Muslims.
To say the least, the EC has failed to take the required action. It has powers to disqualify a guilty person of a party. This is no point in having a poll code, if the EC does not care to enforce it. The EC is a constitutional authority and it has vast powers to ensure that fair elections take place.
Would it be wrong to suggest that the EC has failed to take necessary action against two Congress ministers who have openly, daringly broken the poll code?