Ex-Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee dies, politicians mourn
Kolkata, Aug 13 (IBNS): Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who was also a 10-time Parliamentarian in his political career, passed away in Kolkata on Monday.
He was 89.
Chatterjee was admitted in a Kolkata hospital for the past few days.
He was reportedly suffering from a kidney-related ailment.
He was in and out of the hospital for the past few months, reports said.
Somnath Chatterjee had joined the CPI-M in 1968 and was a central committee member of the party.
He had served as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004-2009.
Chatterjee, however, was expelled from the CPI-M in 2008 after he refused to resign as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha following his party's decision to withdraw support to the UPA-I government.
Politicians Mourn Death of the Leader:
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: "Sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A loss for public life in Bengal and India. My condolences to his family and innumerable well-wishers #PresidentKovind."
Sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A loss for public life in Bengal and India. My condolences to his family and innumerable well-wishers #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 13, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chatterjee a 'stalwart' of Indian politics.
Former MP and Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee was a stalwart of Indian politics. He made our Parliamentary democracy richer and was a strong voice for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable. Anguished by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2018
"Former MP and Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee was a stalwart of Indian politics. He made our Parliamentary democracy richer and was a strong voice for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable. Anguished by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters," he tweeted.
Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior leader, Shri Somnath Chatterjee. An erudite & seasoned parliamentarian, Somnathda was known for value based politics. He rose above partisan politics on several occasions. My condolences to his family.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 13, 2018
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh posted: "Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior leader, Shri Somnath Chatterjee. An erudite & seasoned parliamentarian, Somnathda was known for value based politics. He rose above partisan politics on several occasions. My condolences to his family."
I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. In spite of our ideological differences, we cherished a very cordial relationship. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 13, 2018
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted: "I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. In spite of our ideological differences, we cherished a very cordial relationship. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family."
I mourn the passing away of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, 10 term MP and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He was an institution. Greatly respected and admired by all parliamentarians, across party lines. My condolences to his family at this time of grief. #SomnathChatterjee
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 13, 2018
Extremely sad news about Somnath Chatterjee ji. One of the greatest parliamentarians of contemporary times he will always be missed by this country. He will be remembered among the greatest Lok Sabha Speakers India ever had. https://t.co/dpnsE9ME1a
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 13, 2018
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal remarked: "Extremely sad news about Somnath Chatterjee ji. One of the greatest parliamentarians of contemporary times he will always be missed by this country. He will be remembered among the greatest Lok Sabha Speakers India ever had. "
Image: Congress Twitter page
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