New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Alleging a "political conspiracy" and an "attempt to befool Muslims" behind Congress ministers' statements on sub-quota for backward minorities, UPA ally Trinamool Congress today demanded that Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma be debarred from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. In an indication that the relations between the two coalition partners has touched a further low, TMC leader Sultan Ahmed also rejected Congress contention that the Model Code of Coduct does not have a statutory status. "It becomes a Code of Conduct when the matter concerns other parties but not when it is related to the ruling party. It is surprising. First it was Salman Khurshid, who said that 9 percent reservation would be given to Muslims even as there was no such decision at the level of the government. "Now it is Beni Prasad. They think that Muslims would bite this bait. This is not going to happen. If the government is serious about giving any such thing to Muslims, it should announce it at the level of government," Ahmed told reporters. His reaction came after Verma while addressing a poll rally last night in the presence of Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh and Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid, said, "reservation for Muslims will be increased and if the EC wants, it can now issue notice to me." Asked whether he is demanding debarring of Verma from election campaign in UP, he said, "off course. EC can debar such leaders. He (Beni) should be debarred from campaigning in the state. EC should take serious cognizance. Salman and Beni have violated the model code of conduct". Ahmed, who is a Minister of State for Tourism also asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clear the air on the issue of Muslim reservations. "Since the government is of Manmohan Singh, he should tell what the government is thinking on the issue of reservation for Muslims. The government is silent while its ministers are speaking," he said. (MORE)
