- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha does not and cannot represent any political party…and consistent with that position, I have scrupulously kept myself away from all political activities
- It was only on July 20 that a Politburo member verbally told me that it was the decision of the party that I should resign and vote against the motion. When I refused, it was suggested that I should resign as Speaker and may not attend the House to cast my vote. I informed him of my inability to accept such decision as it will seriously compromise the constitutional position of the Speaker
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New Delhi, August 1
Nine days after being expelled from the CPM, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today rose to defend his decision, saying he consciously decided to uphold the Constitution at the risk of being dubbed anti-party.
Denying allegations that what he did was for some personal consideration, the Speaker chose to bat for the often-proposed convention that an MP, once elected Speaker, should temporarily resign from the party to prevent compromising his position vis-à-vis his party’s.
Chatterjee made the point “in view of the controversies being raised based on a party’s (read CPM) contention that while as Speaker, an MP should continue to be under the control of the party.”
Although he described his expulsion from party as “sad”, Chatterjee didn’t allow an iota of regret to creep into his five-page argument supporting the stand to stay in office. By the end of his contention, the Speaker had clarified that he now had renewed strength (thanks to positive responses received from all over) to continue in his position.
“Such responses, which I find unprecedented, emphasise people’s desire that Parliament should function properly …, and give me renewed strength to continue to fulfill my obligations as Speaker during my tenure,” Chatterjee said in a statement that coincided with the commencement of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The Speaker is to attend the meeting, which will end on August 10.
As for the tone of the Speaker’s long-awaited response, it was
confident, with Chatterjee building his defences on the happenings post May 2004 General Election. “After elections, something extraordinary happened. There were 18 nomination papers proposing my name for election as Speaker,” Chatterjee mentioned, reiterating the earlier stand that his election was uncontested and unanimous.
From here on, the Speaker went on to underline the non-political role of his office, repeating what he had said on July 10: “The Speaker of the Lok Sabha does not and cannot represent any political party…and consistent with that position, I have scrupulously kept myself away from all political activities.”
Saying he felt obliged to inform people of India and members of the CPM as to what caused the present situation, the Speaker cited each development that unfolded since July 6. In clear terms, he took on the CPM, saying the party kept telling him all the while to decide for himself.
“It was only on July 20 that a Politburo member verbally told me that it was the decision of the party that I should resign and vote against the motion. When I refused, it was suggested that I should resign as Speaker and may not attend the House to cast my vote. I informed him of my inability to accept such decision as it will seriously compromise the constitutional position of the Speaker,” the Speaker defended himself, adding that the Party should have appreciated that as Speaker he did not represent it, nor could it give any directions to him. “I reiterate this with all the emphasis at my command,” the Speaker said, on a day the CPIM lost its veteran leader Harkishen Singh Surjeet.
In his long statement of contentions, the Speaker did not, however, forget to warmly mention Jyoti Basu and thank his party for the many opportunities offered.
