In a strongly worded letter to President Pratibha Patil seeking her intervention in the matter of Union law minister Salman Khurshid’s remarks, the EC said the “unprecedented” and unlawful action has disturbed the delicate balance of functions between constitutional authorities.

The two-page letter, which describes Mr Khurshid as “defiant and aggressive”, was sent to the President after Mr Khurshid reiterated on Saturday day that he would not budge from his position on the nine per cent sub quota even if he were to be hanged by the EC.
The EC’s letter, prepared after an emergency meeting of the full poll panel, said, “The Commission is shocked that instead of being remorseful about the violation of the Model Code, that carries the consensus of all political parties and the sanction of the Supreme Court, the minister has chosen to be defiant and aggressive. This is unprecedented.” Deploring Mr Khurshid’s action, the EC has said that it “feels perturbed because the undermining of its constitutionally-mandated duties has come from the law minister who has direct responsibility to uphold and strengthen the ECI rather than to denigrate it”.
The EC also said in its letter that Mr Khurshid’s actions could impact the level playing field in the polls. “The tone and tenor of the Union minister are dismissive and utterly contemptuous about the Commission’s lawful direction to him, besides the fact that his action is damaging the level playing field in the election.”
Urging immediate intervention, the EC said, “The Commission is approaching you with serious dismay and a deep sense of urgency that requires your kind intervention in the midst of the poll process in the state of Uttar Pradesh.” It added that it “finds it necessary and unavoidable to turn to you at this juncture for immediate and decisive intervention so that the ongoing general election to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is conducted, and this Commission discharges its functions in accordance with the Constitution and the law.”