Beni Prasad pleads not guilty

Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma is reported to have pleaded with the Election Commission (EC) that he is not guilty of the violation of the model code of conduct.

The EC had served a notice on the Minister to explain why action should not be taken against him for his statement on the intent of the Congress to provide job reservations to minorities and daring the Commission to act against him.

The Commission is expected to take a view on Mr. Verma's explanation on Tuesday.

According to his aides, the Minister has explained to the Commission that he made the statement in his capacity as the Congress leader and not as a Minister and that he held the EC in high esteem.