Deleting Art. 102 against spirit of Constitution:HMS

Kochi, Mar 31 (UNI) Calling for a national debate on the 'office of profit' controversy, Hind Mazdoor Sangh president and former MP Thampan Thomas today said any move to delete Art. 102 will go against the spirit of the Constitution.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Thomas said that the framers of Constitution had included Art. 102, barring MPs from holding office of profit, to protect democracy.

Calling for a national debate on the issue, Mr Thomas said that public opinion should be mobilised to protect the Constitution.

''Any move to delete Art. 102 will amount to a colourful exercise of power,'' he added.

Mr Thomas also announced the names of the new office bearers of the national working committee of the HMS. While former MLA A A Kochunni has been named vice-president, southern railway mazdoor union president Raja Sridhar has been named as national secretary.

Dr Shanti Patel, Ms Parvati Das and Mr Suraj Shetty have also been named as vice-presidents.

UNI ARC DK1511