The Hindu : National : Bid to gain political mileage: Brinda Karat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 26, 2006

National

National

Bid to gain political mileage: Brinda Karat

LUCKNOW: Seeking a clarification on `office of profit,' CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Saturday said there were a series of resignations on the issue, but most were aimed at gaining political mileage.

"Several leaders are tendering resignations, but it is yet to be clarified what `office of profit' really is,'' she told reporters here. She was addressing delegates of the All-India Democratic Women Association on "challenges of women agitation and role of AIDWA." "Resignations to gain political mileage can be individual decisions, but the matter should be made clear in Parliament." It should be debated for necessary legislative action. Ms. Karat said `office of profit' should be properly defined even if it calls for the introduction of a Bill. Interestingly, her party is opposed to an ordinance on the issue.

Reiterating that none of the CPI(M) MPs would resign, as no one was holding `office of profit,' she said "the Congress president may have resigned, but we do not consider even the National Advisory Council as an office of profit." Opposition parties in Parliament had alleged that CPI(M) MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had been holding `office of profit' as Sriniketan-Shantiniketan Development Authority chairman.

UNI

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