Patna: Political leaders cutting across party lines mourned former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee and called his demise on Monday as a great loss for the society and politics.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep grief and pointed out that Chatterjee was elected a Lok Sabha member 10 times.
"He (Chatterjee) was known for high morals and political standards due to which he was elected the Lok Sabha Speaker through mutual agreement among parties. Live telecast of zero hour in the Lok Sabha was started during his tenure as the Speaker. His death has left a void in the political and social arena," Nitish said.
Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik also condoled Chatterjee's death and remembered that he had based his politics on purity and transparency and always empathised with people belonging to the poor and weaker sections.
Deputy chief minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi expressed deep sadness and remembered that he had got a chance to work with him as a parliamentarian.
Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president-in-charge Kaukab Quadri said Chatterjee was a bold leader, who did not resign from the post of the Lok Sabha Speaker even when his party, the CPM, withdrew support from the then Congress government between 2004 and 2009. He was expelled from his party due to this. "Chatterjee had deep belief in democracy and the Constitution. His demise has taken away an alert sentinel from among us," Quadri said.
Congress Legislature party leader Sadanand Singh, MLA Mandan Mohan Jha and several other leaders also expressed grief on the occasion.
RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav offered condolences after knowing that Chatterjee was no more. "Saddened by the demise of former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. India has lost a distinguished parliamentarian, greatly respected and admired across party lines. May His soul rest in peace! Condolences and prayers with his family," Tejashwi tweeted.
Chatterjee breathed his last at a private hospital in Calcutta, where he was admitted on August 7 following a cardiac arrest and prolonged illness. The former CPM leader was expelled from his party in 2008. He was also suffering from kidney-related diseases.
