Rabi Ray praises Somnath Chatterjee

Bhubaneswar, Jul 24 (UNI) Former Lok Sabha Speaker Rabi Ray today said the expulsion of Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee by the CPI(M) has come to him as a bolt from blue.

In a statement Mr Ray said the expulsion of Mr Chattarjee would never be an impediment for him to continue as the Speaker of the Lower House.

Mr Ray said he was glad that Mr Chatarjee has decided to meet the Commonwealth Parliamentary meeting in Kulalampur early next month.

''It is in the fitness of things that Mr Chattarjee has decided to continue as the Speaker of Lok Sabha despite the CPM's disciplinary action against him. This is what the people of this country want him to do,'' Mr Ray said.

UNI DP PC SB UCS1319