National   

Mamata keeps her cool despite provocations

NEW DELHI: Though the railway budget presented by Mamata Banerjee drew applause on several occasions from members cutting across party lines, there were occasions when she and her predecessor, Lalu Prasad, crossed swords.

Ms. Banerjee, who entered the Lok Sabha unnoticed by many members during the question hour, preferred to sit in one of the back rows and moved to the front, where the budget papers were kept, when the next agenda was taken up.

The moment she started reading the budget, CPI (Marxist) leader Basudev Acharya, her rival from West Bengal, made some comments, to which she was seen replying in a harsh tone.

Mr. Prasad was also shouted down. At one time she told him, “I respect you ...You have done some things and I will do some things ...I need support.”

Ms. Banerjee kept her cool most of the time despite provocation from some Left party members and Rashtriya Janata Dal members, including Mr. Prasad. Notably, there was no interference from the NDA benches.

Many Rajya Sabha members watched the proceedings from the special gallery.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Centre discusses ruling on gay sex
Infrastructure, real estate sectors expect a big boost
Sibal talks tough on ragging
Tyeb Mehta gave shape and meaning to Indian art
Medha held on way to Lalgarh, released on bail
No swine flu death: Azad
Possible case of “resistant” A (H1N1) virus
U.N. sanction on Lashkar operative a blow to Pakistan
Villagers in Lalgarh still in grip of fear
Lalgarh: Meet to decide future course of action
Rationalise tax on petrol, diesel: Deora
Nag may join Army soon: Saraswat
Junior-8 representatives want to focus on child rights
Facebook in Hindi soon
Microchips to track straying tigers
1,000 MW plant to be set up
Mamata keeps her cool despite provocations
Shopian case: court seeks deeper probe

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu