CPI(M) wants Somnath Chatterjee to quit LS Speaker's post

According to latest reports, the CPI(M) wants Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to resign from his post in the wake of Left's withdrawal of support to the government. The CPM has deputed veteran leader Jyoti Basu to persuade Somnath Chatterjee to quit the post. Left sources maintain that Somnath should resign, as he was elected as per the deal between Left and UPA.

The Congress had offered the Speaker's post to Left in return of its support to the government. Since now Left has withdrawn support to the government, Somnath's continuation in office goes against the Left ideology. Earlier, Somnath expressed reluctance in quitting the Speaker's post, saying the Lok Sabha Speaker does not represent any political party and the Speaker's office is above party politics. However, pressure from his comrade may force him to rethink over his decision.