Leaders across party lines on Monday condoled the death of former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee, describing him as an outstanding parliamentarian who enriched Indian politics.
Leaders across party lines on Monday condoled the death of former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee, describing him as an outstanding parliamentarian who enriched Indian politics.
Chatterjee, 89, passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata this morning following multiple organ failure.
Tributes poured in as news came in of the death of the 10-time Lok Sabha MPwho had joined the CPI(M) in 1968. Chatterjee was speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009. He was a stalwart of Indian politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
"He made our parliamentary democracy richer and was a strong voice for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable," an "anguished" prime minister said, adding that his thoughts were with Chatterjee's family and supporters. Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Chatterjee was an institution and greatly respected and admired by all parliamentarians, across party lines. Conveying his condolences to Chatterjee's family and supporters, BJP chief Amit Shah said Chatterjee was an excellent parliamentarian. His long years as a member of the House enriched parliamentary traditions, he added.
"He was a remarkable human being, an eminent parliamentarian and a very clear headed speaker of the Lok Sabha. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," said former vice president M Hamid Ansari. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal echoed him and termed Chatterjee one of the "greatest parliamentarians" of contemporary times who will also be remembered as one of the greatest Lok Sabha Speakers India has ever had.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Chatterjee and she shared a very cordial relationship despite their ideological differences. He was principled and scholarly, and played a significant role in India's parliament, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
Union minister Arun Jaitley said he will be remembered for his contributions which enriched Indian politics and was an outstanding Parliamentarian. According to former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, Chatterjee had through his life been a democrat, a liberal and a champion of enlarging the constituency for social democracy.
NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said Chatterjee was a dignified person who set high standards of conduct during his stint as the Speaker of Lok Sabha. The passing away of "Somnath Da" is great loss for us all, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in her condolence message.
1. Somnath's father NC Chatterjee was Hindu Mahasabha leader
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Somanth Chatterjee's father Nirmal Chandra Chatterjee was a Hindu Mahasabha leader. He was too an extremely influential lawyer of his time. Somnath differed with him ideologically but maintained a cordial relationship throughout. Somnath Chatterjee contested from Burdwan after his father's death in 1971. (RNA)
2. Jyoti Basu was Somnath Chatterjee's mentor
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Veteran politician and former CM of Bengal, Jyoti Basu was mentor of Somnath Chatterjee. He entered politics under his guidance. (RNA)
3. 10 times MP with rare political acceptability across aisles
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From 1971 to 2009, Somnath was elected to the Lok Sabha 10 times. He lost once in 1984 to then political greenhorn Mamata Banerjee. After that, Chatterjee shifted base to Bolpur and won comfortably every elections. (RNA)
4. Born in Assam, studied law in UK
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Somnath Chatterjee was born in Tezpur, Assam. He did his schooling in Kolkata, and came 10th in Matriculation Exams. He did BA in Economics from Presidency college. Then he went to UK and got his BA law degree from University of Cambridge. He went on to pass MA exam and also Barrister-al-law degree. (RNA)
5. When Somnath sparred with the apex court
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In 2005, when SC forwarded the dates of confidence vote in Jharkhand Assembly, Chatterjee said that SC has crossed the laxman rekha. When 11 MPs went to SC after being disqualified in cash for question scam, Somnath Chatterjee refused to accept notice from SC, saying judiciary is intervening in the works of legislative.
6. Expelled but wasn't forgotten by CPI(M)
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The Prakash Karat lobby of CPI(M) got him expelled from the party due to Somnath's stance during the 2008 trust vote following Left's pull-out of the government. However, he continued to be in good terms with Bengal CPI(M) leaders. (RNA)
7. Somnath was extemely popular among his neighbours
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In his retired life, staying at Bolpur, Somnath Chatterjee continued to mix freely with his neighbours. He had no airs of a big man and took part in community activities. (24 Ghanta)
8. Somnath Chatterjee was a keen follower of Table Tennis
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Somnath Chatterjee was the President of West Bengal Table Tennis Association for a long time. He resigned on February 2018, citing poor health. Apart from that, the veteran leader was engaged in several youth connect activities. (PTI)
