Chatterjee argued that given the BJP's rapid ascension, the CPI(M) should help the Congress in keeping the BJP out of power at the Centre
Prakash Karat-led CPI(M) expelled Chatterjee when he refused to quit as Lok Sabha Speaker over the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in 2008
Tributes pour in for the former Lok Sabha Speaker, PM condoles demise of Somnath Chatterjee, Rahul hails him as 'institution'
He was also suffering from a kidney-related ailment and was admitted to the clinic in a critical condition on August 7
In July, he was admitted to a private medical center in Kolkata after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke