Decision to expel Somnath unfortunate: Karat

Kolkata, Jul 27 (UNI) CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat today said decision to expel Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee from the party was 'most unfortunate'.

''To us, taking a decision to expel him was most unfortunate,'' he told newspersons after the party's two-day West Bengal state committee meeting.

In reply to a question on whether there was any possibility of taking Mr Chatterjee back in the party, Mr Karat said the party's constitution had such a provision.

''There is a provision in the constitution under which any expelled member can appeal to come back,'' he said.

Replying to another question, the CPI(M) General Secretary said taking the decision was completely a matter concern as it was for the Lok Sabha Speaker to decide whether he would continue in the post.

''It was as much up to the party to decide whether he should be with us as it was up to him to decide whether he would continue in the post,'' he said.

UNI KDG SB GL CS2140