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This is an archive article published on June 3, 2004

With BSP, SP firmly behind, Somnath set to be Speaker

Veteran CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee is all set to become the new Lok Sabha Speaker. Though the NDA is yet to communicate its acceptance...

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Veteran CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee is all set to become the new Lok Sabha Speaker. Though the NDA is yet to communicate its acceptance of his candidature, many other parties have backed him for the job.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told mediapersons that BSP leader Mayawati had extended her support to Chatterjee and so had the Samajwadi Party.

The NDA, which had earlier indicated that it may field a candidate for the speakership, is unlikely to do so following the Government offer of deputy speakership to the BJP-led alliance. The NDA has left the decision with former PM A.B. Vajpayee.

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The nominations for the speaker’s post close tomorrow and the election, if necessary, will be held on June 4.

Azad had even met Vajpayee, Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani and NDA convenor George Fernandes to seek their co-operation for Chatterjee’s unanimous election.

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