Four days after Congress president Sonia Gandhi thanked the Left at the UPA Coordination Committee meeting for supporting the Government for over four years, the ruling party came down heavily on its erstwhile allies, throwing its weight behind Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who is under pressure from his party to resign. The Congress criticised CPI general secretary A B Bardhan, asking him to substantiate his allegation of horse-trading or else apologise. At a press briefing on Wednesday, AICC spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said the Congress condemned the unfortunate attempt to politicise the high constitutional office of the Speaker, which has resulted in an unsavoury controversy over whether he should resign or continue. “We appeal to all concerned to refrain from politicising and diminishing the high office of the Speaker,” she said. Asked whether she meant the Left, Natarajan said, “Whoever is doing it, but certainly the CPM has sent the Speaker’s name in the party list (in the letter of withdrawal of support submitted to the President of India).” Originally, the controversy arose because of the inclusion of his name in the party list. “We believe Somnath Chatterjee will take a proper decision in the best interest of Parliament and democracy,” said the AICC spokesperson. “The controversy has the potential of setting a dangerous precedent by which every dispute in Parliament or state legislature will be preceded by the resignation of the Speaker in order to fulfil the agenda of his original party,” said Natarajan. “If the office of the Speaker is politicised, no presiding officer can have a secure tenure. Somnath Chatterjee has served with honour and distinction and conducted the procedures of the House with grace, honour and impeccable commitment to the Constitution,” Natrajan added.
