"I think, from the common man's perspective, the biggest damage that has been caused to the Left parties is the expulsion of Chatterjee, which is more than the loss they have sustained in withdrawing support to the UPA government," Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker, told reporters in New Delhi.

"The damage caused to CPI-M's image by expelling Chatterjee is much more ... It will be a long time before they (Left) overcome it," he said.

"I would like to congratulate him for his decision not to succumb to the pressure of his party and stick to his ideals ... even the media coverage has shown tremendous public support for Chatterjee which itself goes to prove how wrong the Left parties were," Sangma said.

Terming as 'shameful and unwarranted' the cash-for-vote episode in the Lok Sabha, he said the speaker should go for a probe into it

Commenting on the prospects of the third front, Sangma said he was 'unsure' whether it would gain any advantage out of the political polarisation arising out of the Indo-US civil nuclear deal issue till the next election.

Rubbishing reports of aligning with the Congress in Meghalaya, the NCP leader said he would remain with the MPA in the coming general election.

The NCP, he said, had not finalised the list of candidates or itsalliance with any other party. "We are exploring possibilities for an understanding with other political parties, which may be finalised within a month's time."

The party has an open mind on electoral adjustments in Assam. Sangma claimed that apart from the party's good prospects in Maharashtra, there was hope that it would fare well in Goa, Lakshadeep, Anadaman and Nicobar islands and even Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

"We are hopeful of winning at least two LS seats in Bihar and double our strength in Parliament from the present 11," he said.