CPM expels Somnath Chatterjee
23 Jul 2008, 1848 Hrs

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New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) today expelled Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee from the party for refusing to follow the party's advice regarding resignation from the Speaker's post.

Seven members of the 14-member politburo of the CPM met here this morning and took the decision to expel Chatterjee for defying the party line.

The Speaker had been under pressure to quit the Constitutional post after the left withdrew support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government over the India-US civil nuclear deal.

However, Chatterjee, refused to toe the party line and chaired the House during the Special session on July 21 and July 22, when the Government won the confidence vote.

The 79-year-old veteran Parliamentarian has been associated with the CPM since 1968.

The Bolpur MP was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 and was awarded the "Outstanding Parliamentarian Award" in 1996. (ANI)