Somnath defies CPI-M which hints at action

NEW DELHI: Ignoring CPI-M demand that he should step down, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Monday presided over the special session debating the Government's confidence motion, and the party hinted at action against him.

The veteran parliamentarian, who has made it clear that he does not want the Speaker's office to be dragged into political controversy, chaired a meeting of floor leaders of various parties shortly before Lok Sabha met to consider Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's confidence motion.

Ending speculation that he may step down before the House debates the motion, the 79-year-old Marxist leader occupied the Speaker's Chair at 11 am, telling members that he had no subject of his own except to run the House.

The CPI-M made no secret of its unhappiness and Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said tonight that a "decision" in the matter would be taken at an "appropriate time".

Yechury pointed out that the matter had been discussed in the Central Committee which had authorised the Politburo to take an "appropriate decision" at the "appropriate time."

Indicating that no action will be taken during the two-day Lok Sabha session, Yechury said, "we will not involve the Speaker's office while Parliament is in session."