I will not resign before end of term: Somnath

{image-Somnath Chatterjee_23082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Bolpur, Aug 23: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Saturday, Aug 23 categorically said he would not resign from the Speaker's post and continue in office till the end of term.

The Speaker, who arrived here to oversee the ongoing construction of his new house at the Shyambati area in Shantiniketan, said, ''There is no question of my resigning from the Speaker's post before the expiry of my term.'' On his future course of action, Mr Chatterjee said he intended to settle down at Shantiniketan after his term as Speaker ended. He said that he had taken the decision to settle down here long ago and my resolve to stay here has not been influenced by any other development.

However, he refused to comment on his future political career, saying, ''I will make an announcement about it at the proper time.'' The CPI(M) Polit Bureau had expelled Mr Chatterjee from the party for refusing to step down as Speaker ahead of the July 22 trust vote in Parliament, which was won by the Manmohan Singh government.

Mr Chatterjee had steadfastly refused to give in to the CPI(M)'s demand, saying that the Speaker's post was above party politics.

UNI