'Somnath's expulsion biggest blow for the Left'

NCP leader PA Sangma congratulates Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for upholding the dignity of his office and not resigning as desired by the CPI-M.

Congratulating Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee for upholding the dignity of his office and not resigning as desired by the CPI-M, NCP leader PA Sangma on Saturday, said "his expulsion was the biggest blow for the Left parties".

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"I think, from the common man's perspective, the biggest damage that has been caused to the Left parties is the expulsion of Chatterjee, which is more than the loss they have sustained in withdrawing support to the UPA government," Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker, told reporters here.

"The damage caused to CPI-M's image by expelling Chatterjee is much more ... It will be a long time before they (Left) overcome it," he said.

"I would like to congratulate him for his decision not to succumb to the pressure of his party and stick to his ideals ... Even the media coverage has shown tremendous public support for Chatterjee which itself goes to prove how wrong the Left parties were," Sangma said.