“I will commit suicide…” – these were the words of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the then Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Told Qureshi. Angered by the absurd comments of some ministers on the functioning of the Election Commission, Qureshi had expressed his displeasure to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had also told Qureshi that the Election Commission is not only the pride of India but also the soul of the country’s democracy, and if it ends, everything will end.
**Controversy related to Salman Khurshid**
Qureshi has mentioned this interesting conversation in his upcoming book, *India and I: A Hundred Memories, Not a Memoir*. In the book, the former Chief Election Commissioner remembers former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a leader for whom constitutional understanding was not limited to speeches, but was an integral part of his behavior and thinking. According to Qureshi, elections were to be held in Uttar Pradesh in January 2012. At that time, Law Minister Salman Khurshid had promised at an election rally that if his party came to power, reservation for Muslims in jobs would be increased from 4.5 percent to 9 percent.
**Confrontation between Congress-BJP**
He wrote, “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) immediately filed a complaint with the Election Commission, calling it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Their argument was that no new scheme can be announced after the election process begins and the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.” Qureshi wrote, “We held hearings for four days. Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented the Congress, while Arun Jaitley represented the BJP. Two of the finest legal minds were squaring off against each other on the complex question of where to draw the line between election promises and voter inducements. Ultimately, the Election Commission reprimanded Khurshid.”
**Voices against the Election Commission from within the Congress**
According to Qureshi, this was the strictest action the Commission could take under the Model Code of Conduct. Qureshi, who was the Chief Election Commissioner from July 2010 to June 2012, says that Khurshid was clearly angry with the commission’s action. After this, such things started being raised from within the Congress Party that the Election Commission has become arrogant or arbitrary. Qureshi writes in his book, “I never had any problem with criticism, but I was troubled by such twisted statements which gradually reduce the credibility of institutions. Such absurd things were not acceptable.”
During this time, Qureshi hosted an annual feast at his home on the occasion of Eid. The Prime Minister’s then press secretary Harish Khare was also among the guests. During the conversation, Qureshi expressed his displeasure. Harish Khare asked, “Should I tell the Prime Minister?” Qureshi replied, “Yes. That’s why I’m telling you.” The next day, Qureshi’s ‘RAX’ (Restricted Access Exchange) phone rang. A voice came from the other side, “The Prime Minister wants to talk to you immediately.” A few minutes later, Manmohan Singh was on the line. There was a hint of concern in his voice. He asked, “Qureshi-ji, can I meet you immediately?”
I will commit suicide: Manmohan Singh
According to Qureshi, from Manmohan Singh’s tone it seemed that he was ready to meet him in person. He replied, “Sir, you are the Prime Minister. I will come whenever you say.” The meeting was fixed at 7 pm. That evening, Qureshi reached the Prime Minister’s residence. Qureshi said, “Manmohan Singh was waiting for me at the door. He took me inside, and before we could properly sit in our seats, he said in a very sad voice, ‘Harish told me what you said. If you feel that way, I will commit suicide.'”
The former Chief Election Commissioner writes that he was surprised to hear this. His complaint was not against Manmohan Singh, but against the behavior of some ministers. According to Qureshi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh always considered the Election Commission as a source of pride for India and a symbol of the country’s ‘soft power’. The thought that Qureshi might doubt his intentions was unbearable for him. “I had no idea at all. If I had known, I would have reprimanded him severely. If you ever have anything to say, just pick up the phone and talk to me.” Election Commission is the soul of our democracy: Manmohan Singh
After this, Manmohan Singh said something which Qureshi could never forget. He said, “The Election Commission is not only a matter of pride for India; it is the soul of our democracy. If we lose it, we lose everything.” The former Chief Election Commissioner writes that this meeting deeply influenced him. Not because of politics, but because he met a leader for whom constitutional competence was not just a show, but an integral part of his conduct and thinking.
Qureshi also shared the details of this conversation. Principal Secretary to the then Prime Minister T.K.A. Nair and National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon. Harish Khare had also mentioned this to his friends. According to the former Chief Election Commissioner, after this meeting the rhetoric on the Election Commission stopped. The message was conveyed peacefully to those concerned and no further action was required.
Qureshi writes, “I have encountered many influential people in my life, but very few wielded power with such ease and felt the burden of its responsibility so deeply.” In this collection of 100 interesting incidents from his life, Qureshi recounts the anecdotes, dilemmas and unexpected events from his long administrative journey that shaped his career.
