Somnath's family denies CPI(M) request to drape body with red flag

Kolkata: Being hurt with the decision of expelling him from the party, family members of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee didn't allow CPI(M) members to put the party's flag on his last remains.

His family members didn't approve the proposal of the party's leaders to put a flag on his last remains, recollecting the time when he was extremely upset with the decision of the party to expel him from its ranks.

Anushila Basu, Chatterjee's daughter, said: "My mother didn't agree with their proposal and we also didn't want it to happen."

In the same breath, Basu appreciated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying that she knows whom to give respect. Chatterjee was given a 21 gun salute in the state Assembly. She further said that the Chief Minister had a high respect for her father, who was the first person she went to meet after coming to power.

It may be recalled that Chatterjee was expelled from the party in 2008, after he decided to continue as the Speaker in the Parliament, despite the party withdrawing its support from the UPA government.

In reply to a question on why the last remains of the former Speaker was not taken to CPI(M)'s headquarter at Alimuddin Street, Basu said: "Its not about taking the last remains there. Of course they (CPI(M) leaders) have shown their respects. But we didn't approve the proposal of putting the party's flag on his body."

"My mother told me that she didn't want it to happen as she had realised the situation through which he (Chatterjee) had passed (after he was expelled). He was very upset. But he never passed any statement against the party," said Basu, adding that his decision to continue as Speaker was known to Jyoti Basu.

When asked whether the party has given Chatterjee the respect that he deserved, Basu said that it is quite clear from today's condition of the party whether they have given him respect or not.

While speaking about the 10 time Lok Sabha MP, his daughter recollected that he always used to go to the Parliament with complete preparation.

It may be mentioned that 30 of his speeches have found space in a book that was published from the Parliament.