Rly zone: Bengal, Bihar lock horns

It all began during question hour when Nitish Kumar rose to reply to a starred question on whether the jurisdiction of the newly-created zones had been notified. Bengal MPs rose as one and faced the combined Bihar brigade of the RJD, JDU, Samata and the BJP.

When the Speaker managed to restore order, Nitish Kumar informed the House that two new zones 8212; the East Central Railway at Hajipur and North Western Railway at Jaipur 8212; would start functioning from October 1 and the remaining five from April 1 next year.

Trinamool MPs were quick to protest, saying the matter has been referred to the Cabinet. The issue spilled over to the zero hour and backing the Left leader was Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee: 8216;8216;How could the Railway Ministry notify new zones after the government said the issue had been referred back to the Cabinet?. This is political vendetta.8221;

She was challenged by Raghuvansh Prasad who wanted Katihar to be part of the Hajipur zone.