Somnath says he’ll swear by the book

‘‘But I don’t want a drab parliament. It should be a lively Lok Sabha and not a graveyard. And by lively, I don’t mean garbar but intelligent intervention, humour and repartee,’’ said Chatterjee, candidly. The quintessential Bengali bhadralok-cum-Marxist parliamentarian, who loves football (a die-hard Mohun Bagan fan) and Agatha Christie’s suspense, will have to strike a balance between the BJP in the Opposition and the Left-supported Congress-led UPA on the treasury benches.

It is in a way complementary that the first time his party is openly and actively supporting a Congress-led government in Parliament and he will have to ensure the smooth functioning of the legislature. His acceptability and popularity across the political parties was evident when NDA convenor George Fernandes announced that the Alliance would not oppose Chatterjee’s election. ‘‘It is recognition of the fact that our party has been a responsible part of our democratic set-up. We have never tried to wreck the constitution from within,’’ he added.

‘‘I thoroughly understand the difficult task of the Opposition, I have been there all my parliamentary life. I would certainly be more than liberal with the Opposition to the extent of pampering them. One cannot stifle the voice of the other side in a democracy,’’ said Chatterjee, setting his agenda.

However, for Chatterjee there will be no more staging walk-out, hair-splitting over adjournment motions, PM’s non-statements, Opposition strategy meetings or the regular Tuesday briefings. ‘‘I think, I’m going to miss it. Now I have to be a good listener.’’