Feeling 'tortured' by the Left parties' repeated "questioning" of his decisions, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Friday threatened to step down "here and now" as a protest against "insult" to the Chair.

The Speaker vent his unhappiness when CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia, while initiating a debate on anti-Christian violence in Orissa and Karnataka, said that for the last four days he had been pressing for a discussion on the important issue through an Adjournment Motion but it was not allowed.

"I have been giving notices for Adjournment Motion," the CPI(M) leader said and wondered why it was not allowed.

Angered by this, Chatterjee said "I also tried to hear what you raised. Let us not go into the past. I also have issues to raise. You have sufficiently provoked me and I have kept silent."

Chatterjee said a "new culture" had emerged in the House wherein the members "go on questioning" the Speaker's ruling.

As Acharia pointed out that this issue was not discussed, the Speaker commented: "This is most unfortunate. I will show you video clippings. Say where it (the discussion) could have been allowed."

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta got up with the Rule Book to identify provisions under which the discussion could have been allowed.

At this, Chatterjee said Rule 60 sub clause (1) provided for consent by the Speaker and he was not bound to give it.