Arjun denies he violated poll code

Human Resources and Development Minister Arjun Singh today denied the Election Commission's charge that he had prima facie violated the model of conduct by announcing plans for OBC quotas in elite educational institutions, saying the Centre had not decided the percentage of reservation.

In reply to an EC letter, Singh said, "There was no announcement of any concession much less any other breach of the model code of conduct...There is no basis even for a prima facie view to that effect".

"It is unfortunate that the commission has issued the communication to the Cabinet secretary merely on the basis of what it calls various reports appearing in electronic and print media and has concluded that the alleged announcement amounts to new concession to certain sections of the electorate in the five states," Singh said.