Chennai: Several political leaders took to social media today to express their condolence to the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee who died in a hospital in Kolkata. He was 89.
President Ramnath Govind wrote in his page, “Sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A loss for public life in Bengal and India. My condolences to his family and innumerable well-wishers.”
Prime Minister Modi in his tweet, said, “Former MP and Speaker Shri Somnath Chatterjee was a stalwart of Indian politics. He made our Parliamentary democracy richer and was a strong voice for the well-being of the poor and vulnerable. Anguished by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and supporters.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted, “I mourn the passing away of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, 10 term MP and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He was an institution. Greatly respected and admired by all parliamentarians, across party lines. My condolences to his family at this time of grief,” in his twitter page.
DMK president, M K Stalin, in his tweet, said, “Extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Somnath Chatterjee. He was part of the golden jubilee celebration of Kalaignar in 2007 and was a well-wisher of our party. On behalf of the DMK, I convey our heartfelt condolences to his family.”
MDMK chief Vaiko, said, “Chatterjee’s demise is a great loss for the Indian parlimentary democracy.”
CPI RS member D Raja, said, “Chatterjee demise is a great loss for the communist movement.”
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva, said, “Chatterjee was the protector of communist parties.” Peter Alponse of Congress, said, “Chatterjee’s decisions in the parliment were highly laudable.”
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and other political leaders also condoled the demise of Somnath Chatterjee.