I won't quit Congress: Meira Kumar

Sasaram (Bihar), June 15 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar has said that she won't quit the Congress party as suggested by her predecessor Somnath Chatterjee.

Talking to reporters here on Monday during her maiden visit to her constituency after assuming office, she said, "There is no convention that the Speaker should resign from the primary membership of his or her party. I will function with the same impartiality towards the Congress and the other parties in the Lok Sabha."

Chatterjee had made the suggestion during an interview to a private TV channel on Monday, saying political affiliation should not lead to conflict of interest.

"It is better if a person occupying the Speaker's post resigns from his or her party post during the tenure," he said.

However, Chatterjee had clarified that he had not given any advice to Kumar. He had only spoken of the need for convention to avoid any unhappy experience.

Earlier, Kumar hoped that the Women's Reservation Bill would be unanimously passed in the 15th Lok Sabha as all political parties are serious about it.

"That a woman has been elected as Speaker is an indication that the Women"s Bill could be passed in the 15th Lok Sabha," she said.

The Bill, which was first tabled in 1997, seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state legislatures. It has been included in the UPA Government's agenda for its first 100 days. (ANI)