CPM rules out resignations

The CPI(M) today ruled out resignation of its MPs despite Congress President Sonia Gandhi stepping down over the issue of holding an office of profit.

"Our MPs will not resign," party General Secretary Prakash Karat said shortly after Sonia announced her decision.

Karat said the government would not bring an Ordinance to redefine office of profit and added the matter would be decided by Parliament.

The CPI, however, opposed any Ordinance to re-define office of profit. CPI leader D Raja, who met Karat here said, "We are not for the Ordinance route. Only Parliament should decide."

The CPI(M) Politbureau issued a statement saying, "Under the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to decide the definition of office of profit."

To repeated questions, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury refused to comment whether the party is opposed to the Ordinance and whether the Budget session should be re-convened for enacting a legislation.

"Parliament has to urgently and immediately take up the issue. It is up to the government to see how they do it. Parliament will have to enact the law. Eventually, even it (ordinance), will have to come to Parliament," he said.

He said there was an urgent need to redefine office of profit as members of all major political parties would be affected by it. "The list cuts across all the parties, at least all major political parties," he said.

"This is not about one party or another. This is something that concerns the future of Parliament and democracy," he added.

Yechury said the "flaws in the law have to be rectified urgently" and the party was ready for consultations with the government.

"The government can consult political parties before taking a decision. We are prepared for consultations," he added.

Asked why was the party favouring redefinition of the Act now while it had kept mum during the Jaya Bachchan episode, Yechury said he had raised the issue in Parliament at least two weeks ago and demanded that loopholes in the Act be plugged.

The Politburo statement said the party was "of the view that Parliament should immediately undertake legislation in order to put certain offices held by members outside the purview of the office of profit until Parliament comprehensively defines what is an office of profit."

"It is necessary for members of Parliament to discharge various responsibilities as part of public service. It will not be proper to bring all such positions under the office of profit definition," it added.

Describing as unfortunate the disqualification of Jaya Bachchan, the party's apex body said, "It is imperative that Parliament immediately take up this issue and adopt necessary legislation so that disqualification under the office of profit of Article 102 of the Constitution is not applied sweepingly and indiscriminately."

Yechury said the present law was "incomplete" and needed to be modified.