It was expected that the Union law minister, of all people, would engage with the Election Commission with a greater sense of responsibility than Salman Khurshid has just demonstrated. The EC is a constitutional body; it is a pillar of Indian democracy; and its impartial conduct has drawn the admiration of the entire world and done not a little to burnish this country’s image as a bastion of democracy. Mr Khurshid’s brazen defiance of the commission is indeed surprising as the minister is otherwise viewed as an urbane and responsible politician, known to act and speak with restraint in coping with awkward situations.

Regrettably, the law minister’s peevish attitude comes smack in the middle of a sensitive election campaign in UP whose outcome, many believe, may set the terms for the politics that we may witness in the medium term. It is to be recalled with anguish that this is the second time in a period of only a few weeks that the law minister has had a run-in with the EC. Not long ago, he had gratuitously observed that the EC functioned under the administrative control of the law ministry. CEC Quraishi deemed it necessary to write to the PM to rein in his colleague. In the light of the unprecedented situation, Dr Singh had obliquely ticked off his minister by alluding in public to the constitutional sanctity of the EC.

The law minister is apparently annoyed with the EC for censuring him for his promise, during the election campaign, of a sub-quota for the Muslim community within the OBC quota. This censure was in response to a complaint from the BJP. But, oblivious of the model code of conduct, Mr Khurshid responded to the criticism dismissively, saying that he would carry on “even if they hang me”.

This has caused the EC to now write to the President to seek her intervention on the minister’s “improper and unlawful” conduct. The President has forwarded the complaint to the PM, who is understood to have called for consultations on this on Monday. After all, the credibility of the government is at stake as the EC has noted that the minister’s remarks disturb the “level playing field”. The Congress has done well in the first instance to distance itself from Mr Khurshid’s observations directed at the EC. A way out might be to pull him back from active campaigning in UP. Above all considerations, the government has to ensure that respect is shown for the impartiality of the Election Commission.