EC146;s stinker: Didn146;t you violate the poll code?

The fine distinction that HRD Minister Arjun Singh tried to draw between an 8216;8216;official announcement8217;8217; and a 8216;8216;confirmation8217;8217; to the media about the government8217;s plan to reserve 27 per cent seats for OBC students hasn8217;t cut much ice with the Election Commission. It has shot off a letter to the Cabinet Secretary wanting to know why Singh8217;s action should not be treated as a clear violation of the model code of conduct.

Since elections are on in five states and the Central Government comes under the purview of the model code of conduct, the EC noted that Singh8217;s announcement 8216;8216;amounts to new concessions to certain sections of the electorate.8217;8217;

Singh has been asked to clarify his position before the EC by Monday. If the clarification fails to satisfy the Commission, he could very well be censured. The Commission has noted in the letter to the Cabinet Secretary that prima facie it is a violation of the model code.

Despite the EC8217;s stern note to Singh through the Cabinet Secretary, the Health Minister promptly responded to the HRD Minister8217;s communication that 27 per cent reservation for OBCs should be extended to medical institutes.