In Five Points: Who Was Somnath Chatterjee?

Somnath Chatterjee: Conferred the "Outstanding Parliamentarian Award" in 1996, Chatterjee was known for his debating skills with extensive knowledge of national and international issues, delivered in his deep baritone voice, interspersed with wit and humour.

AFP PHOTO / ADALBERTO ROQUE/ FILE

NEW DELHI: Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee who was put on the ventilator, passed away on Monday after a cardiac arrest. It is said that 89-year-old Chatterjee was suffering from a kidney-related ailment. Last month, the former speaker had suffered a haemorrhagic stroke.

Who Was Somnath Chatterjee?

1. Born in Tezpur, Assam, Chatterjee was the Speaker in the first five-year term (2004-2009) of the United Progressive Alliance government.
2. A 10-time Lok Sabha MP, Chatterjee was a central committee member of the CPI(M), which he had joined in 1968.
3. He was elected to the Parliament's Lower House for ten times since 1971.
4. The veteran leader was, however, expelled from the CPI(M) in 2008 for refusing to resign as the Speaker after his party withdrew support to the UPA-I government.
5. He announced in August 2008, following his expulsion from the CPI(M), that he would retire from politics at the time of the next election in 2009.

An advocate by profession, he actively joined politics in 1968. During his tenure as the Speaker, Chatterjee discontinued the practice of paying for toiletries and tea from the national exchequer. It is also said that Chatterjee paid the expenses of any accompanying family members on foreign trips. Conferred the "Outstanding Parliamentarian Award" in 1996, Chatterjee was known for his debating skills with extensive knowledge of national and international issues, delivered in his deep baritone voice, interspersed with wit and humour.  He adorned several parliamentary committees as chairman or as a member and was respected by leaders across the political arena. Chatterjee is survived by wife Renu, a son and two daughters.