Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Monday mourned the death of former Lok Sabha Speaker and 10-time CPM MP Somanth Chatterjee.

Leaders cutting across party lines said the country had lost one of the ablest Lok Sabha Speakers.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted: "Shocked and extremely sad to learn the passing away of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. A stalwart parliamentarian, popular amongst people and one of greatest Speakers of Lok Sabha. A huge loss to the Indian democracy. May his family and near & dear ones get the strength to cope. #RIP"

The CPM had expelled Chatterjee in 2008 after he had refused to resign as Lok Sabha Speaker after his party withdrew support to the UPA government. CPM leader Janardan Pati said: "The party had committed a mistake by expelling him. By dislodging the UPA government, the CPM did not achieve anything. He was a champion in defending parliamentary democracy."

Pati said: "He had a great contribution in the appointment of Odias in the railways. He had also played a vital role in the expansion of railways in Odisha. He allowed MPs to raise issues pertaining to railways in the state."

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan said: "Chatterjee was widely admired and respected. His death is a big loss to the Indian polity."

State Congress president Niranajan Patnaik said: "He was a true democrat who embodied the spirit of bipartisanship."

Former MP Baijayant Panda tweeted: "I was privileged to interact with him closely even pre-politics, bringing him to Odisha for major '90s events. & as Speaker he began a renaissance of the office, setting ethical precedents that are still followed."