At a press conference held on 17 July, 2008 the General Secretary of the Party had observed as follows:

“On the day we withdrew support from the UPA government, I had stated in a press conference that it is for the Speaker to take a decision on the matter. I have maintained this all through. As for the role of the Speaker, I wish to make our party’s views clear. By holding the post of the Speaker, a person does not cease to have polittcal affiliations. But when someone becomes a Speaker, he/she should not indulge in party activities, or adopt partisan political positions.” It is assumed that on that basis no whip was issued to me, as in fact, it could not be.

In spite of repeated and clearest announcements by the General Secretary of the CPI(M) that it was wholly left to me as Speaker to decide my course of action, unfortunately there were continuing speculations about my possible resignation from the Office of Speaker.

In the afternoon of 20 July, 2008, for the first time I was verbally told by a member of the Politburo that it was the decision of the Party that I should resign and vote against the Motion and when I refused, subsequently it was suggested that I should resign as Speaker and may not attend the House to cast my vote. I informed him of my inability to accept such decision or to act upon the same, as it will seriously compromise the constitutional position of the Speaker. The Party should have appreciated that as Speaker I did not represent it nor could it at all give any direction to me with regard to the discharge of my functions as Speaker. I reiterate this with all the emphasis at my command.

... contd.