Union Law and Justice Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who challenged the Election Commission's authority to censure him for his remarks on a sub-quota for the minorities, has backtracked and regretted his statement. Sources said the Election Commission was yet to take a decision on his letter.
“I treat this matter as unfortunate and regret the statement. I bow to the wisdom of the Election Commission and remain personally committed to ensuring that such situations do not arise,” he said in the letter sent to Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi on Monday night.
Mr. Khurshid, who had earlier asserted that he would stick to his stand even if the Commission “hangs me,” said: “As responsible citizens of this country, it is our obligation to promote the spirit of law, its adherence and enforcement. This is the ethos on which I have woven my entire life and [I] am committed to the EC's effort towards the conduct of a free and fair election process.”
Mr. Khurshid said he was disturbed by the developments stemming from a statement he made in the Uttar Pradesh election campaign. “It has also caused me [an] equal measure of sadness.” It had never been his intention to transgress the law or the model code of conduct. “I have great respect for the EC and the decisions it takes and has taken.”
Mr. Khurshid's volte-face comes after Mr. Quraishi lodged a complaint with President Pratibha Patil against him seeking her “immediate and decisive” intervention to ensure that the Commission discharged its duties.
