Somnath not to quit LS Speaker post

New Delhi, Jul 23 (UNI) Though Mr Somnath Chatterjee was expelled from the CPI(M), there are indications that he may not quit the post of Lok Sabha Speaker immediately.

Sources close to Mr Chatterjee said he did not vacate the chair when he was asked to do so by the CPI(M) as he was fully convinced that his was an apolitical position and he ceased to be a party man in 2004 when he was elected unanimously by the Lok Sabha.

"There seems to be no change in his stand even after the party took a hard decision," the sources said.

The sources said Mr Chatterjee would attend the 54th meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) being held in Kuala Lumpur during August one to ten.

He would lead a 50-member delegation from India to the CPI meeting.

Mr Chatterjee, however, resigned yesterday his position as Chairman of Sreeniketan Santhiniketan Development Authority in West Bengal.

UNI SH RL HT1855