New Delhi:
The hue and cry raised about the no-trust vote of 2008 and then the clamour of Somnath Chatterjee's sudden ousting. Enough fodder for writing a book on the flips and turns of Indian Politics. And basing it exactly on that, former Lok Sabha Speaker and the protagonist , Somnath Chaterjee released his much awaited book "Keeping the Faith: Memoirs of a Parliamentarian" on Saturday.
Manmohan Singh was the guest of honour who unveiled the book amidst the big wigs politics. But like expected, the Left skipped the celebration.
A visibly relaxed, Chatterjee , who was often referred to as the Headmaster in Lok Sabha evaded all other questions chosing to focus only on the falling standards of Parliamentary debate.
"We must reflect where we are heading in Parliament today. Soon after I became Speaker, a group of school children met me. They were very bright. When I asked them what you want to be in life they said anything but not a politician," said Somnath Chatterjee, Former Lok Sabha Speaker.
Chatterjee , who was expelled from his party , the CPIM, for not resigning as Speaker during the no-trust vote in July 2008, was very critical of the party leadership in the past. But while releasing the book, he showed no bitterness.
"I am thankful to the CPIM for giving ticket to me for 11 terms. It's a record for the party. For any party for that matter . A couple of years ago they found me unsuitable. It was very sad for me but i have not questioned the party even though the rules permit," added Chatterjee.
No one from the Left attended the function, However, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Speaker Meir Kumar were present at the release.
Meir Kumar recalled how Chatterjee brought Parliamentary proceedings closer to every Indian home and the Prime Minister lauded Chatterjee for his role as a Speaker.
"There were unusual times in which you had to take a call between defending parliamentary propriety and heeding the demands of the organization that you had spent a lifetime building," said Manmohan Singh, talking about Chatterer's stint as the Speaker.
Chatterjee , who is now retired from active politics says he will now focus on the development of tribals in the Santiniketan area, a place where Chatterjee spent much of his political career.