On Friday as Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, he had talked about enhancing the quota and said it would come into effect after the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat elections.
Somanna was divested of the portfolio and was given the Housing portfolio on Saturday.
The State Election Commission served him a notice, seeking his explanation on his statement.
Speaking to reporters here today, Somanna sought to downplay his statement, saying: "there is nothing new (in my statement). I have only repeated the announcements made earlier. Everybody knows it".