It is party's prerogative to expel Somnath: Karat

Thu, Jul 24 04:49 PM

Hyderabad, Jul 24 (PTI) Unfazed by the attack over expelling Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, CPI(M) today said it was the party's prerogative whether to retain him in it after his refusal to quit the post as he was directed. "The Central Committee decided that no member of the party should remain the Speaker of Lok Sabha after the withdrawal of support.

We were asked to communicate this to him. He did not agree.

We had no option (but to take action)," CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat told a press conference here. He said it was "unfortunate" that the party had to take the decision but added Chatterjee can appeal against it.

When pointed out that he had said that Chatterjee would take a final decision, he said, "to continue or not as the Speaker is his decision. It is up to him.

But whether he will remain as our party member, that we will decide." Karat said the Central Committee was of the view that the Left parties accepted a suggestion from the ruling party in 2004 that one of its members should be the Speaker and accepted it because "we were supporting the Government".

"The Speaker cannot be from the opposition. Between now now and 2009 we will be in the opposition," he said adding it would be difficult for the Government to function properly.

But, Karat said, on July nine, the Left became part of the Opposition after withdrawal of support and the party Central Committee was of the opinion that no member of the party can remain the Speaker after that. PTI.

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