Speaker Somnath Chaterjee may quit

Once the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) pulls off from UPA over the India-US civil nuclear deal, it will ask Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, a party MP, to quit his post.

The CPI-M has decided that it along with three other Left parties will ask the Congress-led government to clarify its final position on the contentious deal on Friday, June 4.

Once they get a specific reply - the Communists believe that the government has decided to go ahead with the nuclear pact - they would go to President Pratibha Patil to inform her of their withdrawal of support.

Fifty nine MPs of the CPI (M)-led Left parties support the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Leaders of the four Left parties are meeting on Friday.

Chatterjee became the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as a nominee of the supporting party. The CPI-M feels that once the support is withdrawn, it will be inappropriate for Chatterjee to continue.