Defending the decision to expel Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee [Images] from the party, CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat [Images] on Thursday said they did not have any other option but to take disciplinary action against the veteran Marxist as he refused to quit the post after a party directive.

Somnath had no backers in CPM central panel

Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Karat said it was 'unfortunate' for them to take disciplinary action against the veteran Marxist leader and it was not a 'happy thing' to do.

"The Central Committee decided that no member of the party should remain the Speaker of Lok Sabha after the withdrawal of support. We were asked to communicate this to him. He did not agree. We had no option (but to take action)," Karat said.

Dissent brews in CPM over Somnath's expulsion

Karat said the central committee was of the view that they Front had accepted a suggestion from the Congress that a member of the Left parties should be the Speaker.

"We accepted that because we were supporting the government and no Speaker is made from the opposition as it would be difficult for the Government to function properly," he said.

He said that on July 9, the Left became part of the opposition after withdrawal of support and the central committee was of the opinion that no member of the party can remain the Speaker after that.