In obvious disapproval of Law Minister Salman Khurshid's spat with the Election Commission, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said Congress has made it clear that "people occupying posts of responsibility should speak responsibly".

"Let me make it clear that this is not a party issue, though Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi has already made the party's stand clear that people occupying posts of responsibility should behave responsibly", Mukherjee told a press conference here.

Asked whether the PMO, on receipt of the Election Commission's complaint forwarded by President Pratibha Patil, was likely to take action against Khurshid, Mukherjee said "the Prime Minister is seized of the matter. As and when any action is taken, it will be known to all people".

The Union Law Minister has been at the centre of a controversy that had erupted following his promise at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh that Congress would raise the sub-quota for the minorities if voted to power in the state.

The poll panel found his remarks violative of the model code of conduct but Khurshid has stuck to his guns stating that he was ready to be hanged for fighting for the rights of the minorities, which prompted EC to write a strongly-worded letter to the President on the issue.