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CPI( M) stalwart and former Lok Sabha speaker from 2004 to 2009 Somnath chatterjee passed away at the age of 89. He died at private hospital . He was reportedly unwell for sometime. He was suffering from a kidney-related ailment and was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition .
He was in the ICCU and had been put on ventilator. Last month, the former speaker had suffered a haemorrhagic stroke.
A 10-time Lok Sabha MP, Chatterjee was a central committee member of the CPI(M), which he had joined in 1968. He had wonderful rapport with leaders across party lines .
As soon as the news came in. Leaders across party lines paid their rich tributes and recalled his contribution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his death in his tweet
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 13, 2018
Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed his grief
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. #SomnathChatterjee
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 13, 2018
Amit Shah, BJP president offered his condolences
Saddened to learn about the demise of Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of Lok Sabha. He was an excellent Parliamentarian, whose long years as a member of the House, enriched our Parliamentary traditions. My condolences to his family and supporters in this hour of grief.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 13, 2018
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled his death
Saddened at the passing away of former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath (Da) Chatterjee. My condolences to his family and admirers. This is a great loss for us all
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 13, 2018
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid his rich tributes
Rest in peace now Somnath da. It was an honour to have known you & to have learnt from you. The Lok Sabha was much the poorer by your absence in recent years. India has lost a parliamentary giant today. #SomnathChatterjee
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 13, 2018
Union Minister of State For Home , Kiren Rijiju recalled his invaluable contribution
I will forever cherish Somnath Da’s affection for me as the Lok Sabha Speaker and his huge contributions to enrich our Parliamentary tradition. He was an outstanding Parliamentarian. My condolences to his family in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/OvR0qu8nRP
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 13, 2018
