The Hindu : National : I did not violate code, Arjun Singh tells Election Commission

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 05, 2006

National

National

I did not violate code, Arjun Singh tells Election Commission

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh on Thursday met the Full Election Commission here and gave an explanation on his alleged violation of the model code of conduct with a statement on provision of 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in Central universities, IIMs and IITs.

After the Commission sent notice, the Cabinet Secretary initially sent a brief reply and he was asked to send full particulars. The Commission also furnished all details sought by Mr. Singh and granted time till May 1 for the Cabinet Secretary to file his reply. Accordingly the Cabinet Secretary sent his reply. However, Mr. Singh sought a personal audience with Chief Election Commissioner B.B. Tandon and Commissioners N. Gopalaswamy and Navin Chawla. Though sources declined to say what transpired at the meeting, Mr. Singh was understood to have explained his remarks on the quota issue and how it was blown out of proportion by the media. He said he had only referred to a Constitution amendment approved recently by Parliament to provide for reservation for OBCs.

In his earlier reply, he said: "There was no announcement of any concession, much less a breach of the model code. There is no basis even for a prima facie view to that effect." He reiterated on Thursday that he had not violated the code.

Meets President

On Wednesday, Mr. Singh met President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and apprised him of his views on the issue of reservation, which led to widespread agitations in Delhi and others parts of the country.

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