<p>Seeking to end the row with the EC over his Muslim sub-quota remark, Law Minister Salman Khurshid has expressed regret, saying it was never his intention to transgress the law and undermine the poll code of conduct.<br /><br />In a letter delivered to the EC midnight last night, Khurshid said that he "bows to the wisdom of EC" and has given his commitment to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.<br /><br />Khurshid's letter came close on the heels of Congress disapproving his comments against the EC, saying that "people occupying posts of responsibility should speak responsibly".<br />"I treat this matter as unfortunate and regret the statement...it has never been my intention to transgress the law and undermine the election code of conduct. I have great respect for the Commission and the decisions it takes and has taken...," Khurshid said in his short communication.<br /><br />In an unprecedented move, the EC had on Saturday written a letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention on Khurshid's alleged defiance of the poll body's censure of his remarks promising to double job sub-quota for Muslims which the EC found violative of the model of conduct.<br /><br />Even after the EC's censure, the Law Minister told an election meeting in Farrukhabad that he would continue to fight for Muslim sub-quota even "if they (EC) hang me".<br />The President had forwarded the letter to the office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Law Minister met Singh and explained his position.<br /><br />In his letter to EC, Khurshid said he was "disturbed with the developments arising out of one of my statements" made in the course of electioneering in Uttar Pradesh.<br />He added that "it has caused me an equal measure of sadness".</p>.<p>The minister said he was committed to EC's authority as a constitutional body and said that he bows to the wisdom of the EC and will remain committed to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.</p>.<p><br />The CEC found the tone and tenor of the remarks of Khurshid "as utterly contemptuous and dismissive" of the Election Commission and damaging to the level-playing field" in Uttar Pradesh assembly election and sought "immediate and decisive" intervention of the President.<br /><br />Khurshid's sub-quota remarks were first made during a rally in support of his wife Louise who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Farrukhabad.<br /><br />On Saturday night, the Law Minister had at another rally stuck to his sub-quota stand, drawing the anger of the panel. </p>
<p>Seeking to end the row with the EC over his Muslim sub-quota remark, Law Minister Salman Khurshid has expressed regret, saying it was never his intention to transgress the law and undermine the poll code of conduct.<br /><br />In a letter delivered to the EC midnight last night, Khurshid said that he "bows to the wisdom of EC" and has given his commitment to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.<br /><br />Khurshid's letter came close on the heels of Congress disapproving his comments against the EC, saying that "people occupying posts of responsibility should speak responsibly".<br />"I treat this matter as unfortunate and regret the statement...it has never been my intention to transgress the law and undermine the election code of conduct. I have great respect for the Commission and the decisions it takes and has taken...," Khurshid said in his short communication.<br /><br />In an unprecedented move, the EC had on Saturday written a letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention on Khurshid's alleged defiance of the poll body's censure of his remarks promising to double job sub-quota for Muslims which the EC found violative of the model of conduct.<br /><br />Even after the EC's censure, the Law Minister told an election meeting in Farrukhabad that he would continue to fight for Muslim sub-quota even "if they (EC) hang me".<br />The President had forwarded the letter to the office of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Law Minister met Singh and explained his position.<br /><br />In his letter to EC, Khurshid said he was "disturbed with the developments arising out of one of my statements" made in the course of electioneering in Uttar Pradesh.<br />He added that "it has caused me an equal measure of sadness".</p>.<p>The minister said he was committed to EC's authority as a constitutional body and said that he bows to the wisdom of the EC and will remain committed to ensure that such a situation does not arise again.</p>.<p><br />The CEC found the tone and tenor of the remarks of Khurshid "as utterly contemptuous and dismissive" of the Election Commission and damaging to the level-playing field" in Uttar Pradesh assembly election and sought "immediate and decisive" intervention of the President.<br /><br />Khurshid's sub-quota remarks were first made during a rally in support of his wife Louise who is contesting as a Congress candidate in Farrukhabad.<br /><br />On Saturday night, the Law Minister had at another rally stuck to his sub-quota stand, drawing the anger of the panel. </p>