New Delhi: Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi has revealed that former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh stopped his Cabinet colleagues from questioning the Election Commission after it censured then Union Minister Salman Khurshid during the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
According to Quraishi, the controversy arose after Khurshid promised to increase the reservation quota for Muslims in government jobs from 4.5% to 9% during the election campaign. The BJP complained that the announcement violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which prohibits the announcement of new schemes after the election process begins.
Quraishi said the Election Commission held hearings over four days, with Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for the Congress and Arun Jaitley representing the BJP. The Commission eventually censured Khurshid, the strongest action available under the Model Code of Conduct.
He said the decision triggered criticism from some Congress leaders, who allegedly accused the Election Commission of being “arrogant” and “arbitrary.” Concerned about the impact on the institution’s credibility, Quraishi conveyed his concerns to the then Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Harish Khare.
The former CEC recalled receiving a personal call from Dr Manmohan Singh the following day, requesting an immediate meeting.
Quraishi said that when he reached the Prime Minister’s residence, Dr Singh was waiting at the door and expressed deep concern over the situation. According to Quraishi, the former Prime Minister assured him that he would not allow his ministers to undermine the credibility of the Election Commission, reflecting his commitment to protecting constitutional institutions.
