PARLIAMENT DIARY

On Thursday, Lok Sabha witnessed a rare exchange of words between Union Cabinet ministers Anant Geete and Ashok Gajapati Raju. Angry Shiv Sena minister Geete even tried to prevent civil aviation minister Raju physically from replying on the issue of the flying ban on his party colleague Ravindra Gaikwad. BJP members watched the awkward situation in shock as their allies hit Mr Raju’s bench in anger and did not let him leave.

Union ministers, including Rajnath Singh, tried to placate Mr Geete, but to no avail. Suddenly, textile minister Smriti Irani came forward to calm Mr Geete down. The effect was magical. The Sena minister listened to her carefully and calmed down immediately. Many MPs were left guessing as to why Mr Geete suddenly became so obedient. One of them said that Mr Geete was an ardent admirer of Ms Irani when she used to play the role of Tulsi in a popular TV serial.

YECHURY-RAHUL TALKS SPARK SPECULATION

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday had a one-to-one discussion with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for almost an hour. Initial reports suggested that they discussed tactics to be adopted on moving amendments on four GST bills. They also discussed the issue of EVM tampering. But on Thursday many leaders were speculating about the nomination of Mr Yechury to Rajya Sabha from West Bengal. Mr Yechury’s term as an MP ends in July. But his party would not be able to send him to the Upper House again as the Left parties do not have the requisite number of MLAs in the state Assembly. The only hope is Congress lending support to the CPM candidate. Traditionally, the CPM doesn’t nominate any leader after completion of two consecutive terms. It would be interesting to see whether the party breaks tradition for its general secretary.

TMC KEEPS A CLOSE WATCH ON RENEGADE MP

The Trinamul Congress on Thursday moved an amendment on the GST bill and the party wanted a voting on it. The party even issued a whip to its MPs. But the MPs were suspicious of their party colleague K.D. Singh, whose role is being probed in connection with the Narada sting operation. Even party supremo Mamata Banerjee was contemplating disciplinary action against him. All TMC MPs were asked to keep a close watch on how Mr Singh voted. Fortunately, voting did not take place and all of them were relieved.