During my nearly 4 decades in Parliament, I have tried my best to discharge my functions true to our Parliamentary traditions. With that experience and opportunity to serve the country as a Member of Parliament, which is the highest Constitutional Forum chosen by the people for the purposes enshrined in our Constitution, I could not and cannot in my conscience accept a position, which would totally compromise the sanctity of the most important legislative office in the country. After weighing the pros and cons, I have consciously taken the principled decision to uphold the Constitution of India at the risk of being unjustifiably dubbed as anti-party.

It is a canard to allege that I have done so to help any party or parties or on some other personal considerations. I strongly and categorically deny these wholly baseless allegations.

Long before the present controversy had arisen, I had declared openly my intention not to contest any further election and to devote the remaining period of my life in the service of the people.

In view of the controversies that are now being raised based on a Party’s contention that while as Speaker, a Member of Parliament should continue to be under the direction and control of the Party, a convention should start now that during his/her tenure as Speaker, a Member should temporarily resign from the membership of the Party and not face a situation which compromises the position of the Speaker vis-a-vis his or her Party.

I wish to express my sincere thanks and gratitude for the overwhelming support from the people from different parts of the country and abroad, who have sent messages supporting the stand taken by me based on the Constitutional position. Such responses, which I find unprecedented, emphasize the people’s desire that the Parliament should function properly and discharge its role in serious and responsible manner and give me renewed strength to continue to fulfil my obligations and responsibilities as the Speaker during my tenure.

... contd.