Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070460951200.htm

National

Mamata keeps her cool despite provocations

J. Balaji

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.