Somnath Chatterjee, the former Lok Sabha Speaker passed away and President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to mourn his death. Mr. Chatterjee suffered a massive heart attack this morning in Kolkata.
The President tweeted, “Sorry to hear of the passing of Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House.”
Mr. Kovind further added, “A loss for public life in Bengal and India. My condolences to his family and innumerable well wishers.”
Sorry to hear of the passing of Shri Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A loss for public life in Bengal and India. My condolences to his family and innumerable well-wishers #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 13 August 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to offer his condolences. PM Modi described the later speaker as a stalwart of Indian politics. Modi tweeted Chatterjee, “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.”
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) 13 August 2018
Chatterjee, the 10 time Parliamentarian passed away at the Bellevue Clinic at 8:10 A.M., after a prolonged age related ailment. Apart from the highest powers in the Country, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal offered their condolences to Chatterjee’s family.
I am sorry to know about the sad demise of Shri #SomnathChatterjee. In spite of our ideological differences, we cherished a very cordial relationship. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) 13 August 2018
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) 13 August 2018
Extremely sad news about Somnath Chatterjee ji. One of the greatest parliamentarians of contemporary times he will always be missed by this country. He will be remembered among the greatest Lok Sabha Speakers India ever had. https://t.co/dpnsE9ME1a
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 13 August 2018