Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has heaped praises on late former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, saying that he was a firm defender of the Indian Constitution. He tweeted his grief
Deeply mourn the passing away of Somnath da: our former Speaker of the Lok Sabha & 10 times-elected MP. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 13, 2018
Speaking to media persons Yechury said, “Somnath Chatterjee was a firm defender of the foundations of the Indian Constitution, particularly, its secular and democratic foundations and federalism.”
Somnath Chatterjee played an important role in defending the secular, democratic foundations of our Constitution. Full text of the Polit Bureau statement: https://t.co/4h2apQBQTh pic.twitter.com/qLedvCgk8v
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 13, 2018
“In terms of parliamentary practices and maintaining parliamentary democracy in the functioning of the house, his record is impeccable. Many of his rulings are relied upon today as a basis for the functioning of Parliament,” he added.
He also confirmed that Chaterjee’s mortal remains will be donated for medical research. “Along with many other party leaders, he (Chatterjee) had donated his body for medical research. Before the handover of his body, the mortal remains will be kept at the party office, where last respects will be paid to him. Then the remains will be taken to the West Bengal assembly.”