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Bill on office of profit likely

Dasmunshi consults parties, to submit report to PM today

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Our Political Bureau New Delhi
Last Updated : Feb 06 2013 | 6:31 AM IST
With political parties rejecting the Ordinance route, the UPA government is set to bring a Bill to amend the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, to re-define office of profit.
 
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi today completed the process of consultations with political parties.
 
Dasmunshi, emerging out of JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's residence, said he would submit his report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow. He called up Shiv Sena and Samajwadi Party leaders earlier in the day.
 
Yadav told reporters that the issue of office of profit should be sorted out in Parliament and there was no need to involve either the Election Commission or the courts.
 
Dasmunshi yesterday held consultations with leaders of the BJP, UPA constituents like the RJD and Left allies, including the CPI(M), the CPI and the RSP. While the BJP saw no need for an all-party meeting on the issue, the Left wanted a consensus before tabling of the Bill.
 
There are differences of opinion within the government over whether to continue the current session and reconvene Parliament after the Assembly elections or to prorogue it and go for an early monsoon session.
 
"Everyone wants an amendment to the parent law so that it is not required to be amended frequently," Dasmunshi said.
 
Both CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury and CPI National Secretary D Raja, who met the parliamentary affairs minister yesterday, were against the ordinance route.
 
There is much at stake for the Left leadership as ten CPI(M) MPs, including Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, have been accused of holding offices of profit. The CPI(M) has, however, rejected demand for their resignation. The Trinamool Congress is likely to make this an election issue.
 
Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Jaswant Singh had told the minister on Saturday that the BJP was in favour of a comprehensive Bill.
 
They, however, saw no need for an all-party meeting contending that the parties' stand would become clear in Parliament itself.

 
 

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First Published: Mar 27 2006 | 12:00 AM IST

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