Congress welcomes Somnath's suggestion

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) The Congress today welcomed the statement of Mr Somnath Chatterjee that an incumbent Speaker should temporarily resign the membership of the party, and said nobody should do anything that would demean the dignity of the Chair.

"It is a good suggestion. It should be discussed," AICC Spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told mediapersons, while reacting to Mr Chatterjee's suggestion that a convention should start now that during his or her tenure as Speaker, a Member should temporarily resign the membership of the party and "not face a situation which compromises the position of the Speaker vis-a-vis his or her party." He said the Speaker should be party-less. "Whenever a member of Lok Sabha becomes Speaker, technically he continues to be a member of the Party to which he belongs. However, he is neutral for all practical purposes." Mr Ahmed showered encomiums on Mr Chatterjee, and said he always functioned in a non-partisan and dignified manner and above party affiliation.

UNI SH RR AS1937