Expulsion from CPI(M) does not affect Speaker Somnath: Experts

The decision of the CPI(M) to expel Somnath Chatterjee from the party would not come in the way of his continuing as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, say constitutional and legal experts.

The decision of the CPI(M) to expel Somnath Chatterjee from the party would not come in the way of his continuing as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, say constitutional and legal experts.

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The Speaker's post is a Constitutional post and is not subject to a whip issued by any political party, the experts said unanimously.

"The expulsion from the party does not affect his position as Speaker unless he himself chooses to resign. He could be removed by the Lok Sabha only," former Secretary General of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap said.

Echoing a similar view, former Law Minister and senior advocate Shanti Bhushan said "The Lok Sabha and only the Lok Sabha and can get rid of the Speaker."

On being asked as to whether defiant Chatterjee, who was on Wednesday expelled by CPI(M) in the wake of his refusal to quit the post before the trust motion, should resign from the post on moral grounds, experts said the decision of the party has no bearing on him continuing as Speaker.

"Not at all. The House had elected him. How come the decision of the party would bind a person holding a constitutional post?," said Bhushan.

Describing the decision of CPI(M) to expel the veteran leader as "unfortunate", senior advocate PN Lekhi said once an MP is elected as a Speaker he ceases to the member of any party.

"Generally speaking, it is very unfortunate and abuse of common sense. Whatever might be the constitution of a political party whenever a person becomes the Speaker he is no longer a member of that party," he said.