Reservation: EC shoots off second letter to Arjun

The Election Commission today shot off a second letter to the Cabinet Secretary seeking more clarifications from HRD Minister Arjun Singh over his OBC reservation announcement.

After studying the reply given by the HRD Minister to the EC8217;s charge that he has prima facie violated the model code of conduct by announcing plans for seat reservation, sources said, the EC found 8216;8216;apparent contradiction8217;8217; between his statement to the media on the issue and the clarification he has given to the Commission last Sunday. Pointing out the contradiction in the second letter to Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi, the Commission sought further clarification by April 18, they added.

In its second letter, the EC has juxtaposed the HRD minister8217;s statement as it appeared in the media, as against the clarification he had given to illustrate 8216;8216;the contradition8217;8217;.

In his reply to the Commission, Singh had said 8216;8216;there was no announcement of any concession, much less any other breach of the model code of conduct8230;There is no basis even for a prima facie view to that effect8217;8217;.

In his clarification to the EC, he has also said that the Centre had not yet decided on the percentage of reservation.