Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] said that the government was in the process of holding consultations with various political parties to define an office of profit as held by a Member of Parliament. The issue, which was sparked off by Jaya Bachchan's disqualification from the Rajya Sabha, led to Sonia Gandhi's [Images] resignation from the Lok Sabha and as chairperson of the National Advisory Council.

"We are looking into all aspects and holding consultations in order to find a solution," he told newsmen at Rashtrapati Bhavan [Images]. Dr Singh attended the investiture ceremony where President Kalam conferred Padma awards to 50 recipients.

Dr Singh did not rule out an all-party meet in the near future as part of the efforts to arrive at a consensus before the government comes out with a legislation in Parliament after the break in the budget session.

• Just what is an office of profit?

He refused to speculate about the fate of the India-US treaty on nuclear power. "The matter is before the US Congress," he said, indicating that the Indian government has nothing to do with its acceptance. Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran's trip to USA is a routine one and one should not read too much into it, he added.

Dr Singh said that the National Advisory Council was very much in existence and it has done lot of good work. Asked who would head it, Dr Singh said that the media would know about it in due course.

Complete coverage: Sonia Gandhi resigns