The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday demanded an apology from Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandopadhyaya for having shouted at party MP Acharia in the Lok Sabha and moved a motion in the Rajya Sabha against Trinamool Minster Sisir Adhikari.
The CPI(M) Parliamentary Party leader Sitaram Yechury said the CPI(M) condemned the behaviour of Mr. Bandopadhyaya for “hurling expletives” and moving menacingly towards Mr. Acharia. He said the party informed the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Pranab Mukherjee and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal that the Trinamool MP's behaviour was unbecoming of a member of the House.
“The issue was one involving the dignity of the House and it is for the Congress and the UPA government to decide on the kind of allies they have and whether they would condone such behaviour,” Mr. Yechury told a press conference.
Having been a member of the House for the last three decades, Mr. Acharia said he never witnessed such behaviour. He said Mr. Bandopadhyaya had taken upon himself the job of explaining the situation in the absence of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Mr. Bandopadhyaya speaks as if he is the Minister,” Mr. Acharia said.
Mr. Yechury said party MP Moinul Hassan moved a substantive motion in the Rajya Sabha seeking explanation of the Minister following a news report which said Mr. Adhikari paid Rs. 1.20 lakh to buy arms from Bangladesh.
“This is a very serious matter. Mr. Adhikari has violated the constitutional oath he took to become a Minister to safeguard the country's unity and integrity. We have moved a motion under Rule 238A in accordance with the directive of the Chair,” Mr. Yechury said. The rule relates to procedure regarding allegations against MPs, including Ministers.
