Taking strong exception to Union law minister Salman Khurshid’s comments in the aftermath of the Election Commission censuring him for remarks concerning quotas for minorities, the poll panel on Saturday night sought the decisive intervention of President Pratibha Patil by writing to her.

Taking cognisance of the letter, President Patil immediately forwarded the letter to the Prime Minister’s Office for “appropriate action”.
This is the first instance of the EC seeking presidential intervention on an issue against a Union minister. According to agencies, “The President has taken note of the Election Commission’s letter and forwarded it to the PMO for appropriate action.”