Salman, Beni clash in Rahul's presence

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had surprised many by his vocal support for the reservation for the minorities. During Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's interaction with the UP Congress MPs, Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma tried to embarrass Salman Khurshid by stating that the latter's insistence on Muslim reservation during UP Assembly elections had harmed the party. It was the same Beni, who had earlier landed the Congress in an embarrassing situation over his remarks against SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav that forced Congress president Sonia Gandhi to apologise on Beni's behalf. What is more, it was the same Beni, who at the height of UP Assembly poll campaign, vociferously demanded Muslim reservation and now was pointing fingers at Salman Khurshid. Salman Khurshid looked unfazed, as he was on a strong wicket. The Union Cabinet had adopted the policy of quota for backward Muslims within the OBC quota, following the commitment made in the Congress Election Manifesto. If the view is to be reversed, it is simple. The Cabinet decision can be rolled back and drop its reference from the next Congress Election Manifesto, was Salman's response. Rahul Gandhi got the message that it was a policy decision, after all and Beni Prasad Verma was silenced.