The expulsion of Somnath Chatterjee from the Party was most unfortunate besides untimely. Besides he still continues to enjoy the non-party constitutional position as Speaker of the Parliament. The party should have waited till August 12 as he promised to resign on that day. The expulsion thereafter would have been a party affair and fair as per the party constitution. There would have then been no murmur on constitutional impropriety. This looked harsh prima facie to a man who spent his 40 years in service of the party. He took the stand not to step down knowing fully well the consequences of his action. He was unnerved and unperturbed over this development as he was mentgally prepared to face it. It will now be the turn of Karat and company to face the wrath and ire of his supporters. However, criticism for the CPM has poured in from some unexpected quarters as well.For instance, CPM MP from West Bengal Tarit Baran Topdar did not mince his words while denouncing the party move, "Evicting Somnathda will surely have a long term effect, it does mean a major loss to CPI-M." Like Topdar, West Bengal Sports Minister Subhas Chakraborty too expressed his displeasure over the move.Defying the party line once again, Chakraborty told the local media, "Somnathda was an asset to the party. This decision may not augur well for the CPI-M."Though no individual was above the party but some individuals like Somnath are certainly to be treated with dignity as they are assets of the party.
