Verma did not violate any model code of conduct: Congress

New Delhi, Feb 20 (ANI): Rejecting the Election Commission's charge that Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma had violated the law and the Model Code of Conduct through his minority sub-quota statement, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi today said Verma is a very veteran politician and whatever he has said is on record.

"Certainly the intent or effect of it was neither to violate any law nor to violate any Model Code of Conduct nor in the slightest to bring down the dignity of the Election Commission even fractionally. So, that should be clear, we are saying that also in the reply," Singhvi added

"And, the other aspects of the merit will also be there in the reply and then we will request the Election Commission to take a balanced view of the whole thing and to discharge the notice," he said.

Singhvi further said that Verma holds the dignity of the Election Commission in the highest esteem and was replying within the deadline.

"Shri Verma has consulted me, he has talked to me. We have discussed the matter and in very respectful terms, we are replying within the deadline to the Election Commission. Let me make it absolutely clear specially after my discussion with him that there is no question of the slightest disrespect intended or done in any manner to Election Commission because I know Shri Verma holds it in the highest esteem," he said.

The Election Commission had earlier on Saturday issued a notice to Verma over his remarks on a sub-quota for minorities.

The Election Commission, which examined the video recordings of Verma's speech made at a rally in Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, further said: "It is evident from the above statements of Verma that he was well aware that by making such utterances, he was violating the model code of conduct and yet he deliberately and willfully did the same."

Verma has been asked to explain his position by 5 p.m. today, as to why action should not be taken against him for violating provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

Verma is the second Union Minister after Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid to be issued notice by the Election Commission for poll code violation over the sub-quota remarks. (ANI)