Define office of profit first: Brinda Karat

Lucknow, Mar 25: Seeking a clarity on 'office of profit' issue, CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat today (Mar 25, 2006) 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.

''Resignations to gain political mileage can be individual decisions, but the matter should be made clear in Parliament.'' It should be debated in Parliament for necessary legislative action, Ms Karat said adding 'office of profit' should be properly defined even if it calls for introduction of a bill.

Interestingly, her party is opposed to an ordinance on the issue.

Reiterating that none of her party MPs would resign, she said no CPI(M) MP was holding office of profit.

The ''Congress president may have resigned, but we do not consider even the National Advisory Council (NAC) as an office of profit,'' the CPI(M) leader said.

Opposition parties in Parliament had alleged that CPI(M) MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had been holding post of profit as Sriniketan-Shantiniketan Development Authority chairman.

The CPI(M) has since been demanding the ofice of profit be defined before asking for resignations.

Ms Karat was here to address delegates of All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) on 'challenges of women agitation and role of AIDWA'.

UNI