A Parliament session is expected to be convened in May, most probably immediately after the assembly elections, to bring a comprehensive legislation redefining the office of profit, an issue on which ruling United Progressive Alliance and opposition National Democratic alliance have arrived at some consensus.
A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs is scheduled on Thursday after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, which would decide on the date of the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.
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After a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], he said priority agenda of the session would be a comprehensive legislation on the office of profit issue as political parties have favoured either a new law or an elaborate amendment in the existing act.
A decision on the session and the legislation is being taken against the backdrop of disqualification of Samajwadi Party parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan, which opened a pandora's box leading to a spate of complaints to the Election Commission against several ministers, parliamentarians at the Centre as also legislators in the states.
Dasmunsi's meeting with the prime minister follows his discussions over the weekend with the Leader of the Opposition L K Advani, and leaders of other parties, including the Left allies, to evolve a consensus on resolving the controversy.
After reporting to the prime minister on his discussions with political leaders, Dasmunsi expressed confidence that there shall neither be any confusion nor confrontation on the matter. He ruled out the ordinance route.
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