'Somnath can continue after expulsion'

The Congress says Somnath Chatterjee would continue as a Speaker even after being expelled from CPI-M.

The Congress on Thursday said Somnath Chatterjee would continue as a Speaker even after being expelled from CPI-M.

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"They have expelled Chatterjee from the party and not from the post of Speaker," said Congress media department chief M Veerappa Moily and asked, "why should he resign?"

Party spokesman Manish Tewari added, "there is no constitutional disability whereby the Speaker can be removed in such a situation".

Tewari said the Speaker is "chosen" as per Article 93 of the Constituition and the House has unanimously chosen Chatterjee.

"There is an inbuilt provision of neutrality in the post of Speaker," the spokesman said to questions whether the position of Chatterjee had become untenable after being expelled from CPI-M.