"India is unique in three things" : Somnath Chatterjee

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has official announced his retirement from active politics on Friday. After announcement of this retirement he shared some of his good and bad memories of his political career. He also said "I still believe that India is unique in three things":-

1.- Only India has a television channel operated by Parliament.
2.- In India judges appoint judges.
3.- india's MPs fix their own salaries.

Speaking on his experience in the last four and a half years as the Speaker Somnath said, “I have been very unhappy for last four and half years.” Chatterjee said the "saddest day" of his life was when the opposition NDA accused him of being partial. Recalling that he was pained by the criticism, the Speaker said he even thought of resigning. This was in mid-2006. Rubbishing the charge that he was partial, the Speaker said there was not a single major issue which he did not allow the opposition to raise.

On CPM, Speaker said he never wanted to face such situation in his life but occurred, while unhappy over non passage of Women’s Reservation Bill during his tenure. According to him last four and a half years of his political life were the hardest days for him but he expressed his satisfaction on his farewell to politics way.

Showing his displeasure at the behaviour of MPs in the House Somnath said, “Member of the House must understand that they have accountability to people…..every issue cannot be raised always.” he also said "My party has expelled me. It shows that they don't like me," Observing that he did not have the job satisfaction, the Speaker said he was often misunderstood.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that the office of Lok Sabha Speaker has been "truly elevated and dignified" by Somnath Chatterjee, who set himself as a "role model".The Prime Minister's brief statement was read out by Leader of the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee on the last day of the last session of 14th Lok Sabha, which adjourned sine die.