A routine debate on the Appropriation Bill for Railways in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday came alive after a verbal spat between two women leaders Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and CPM MP Brinda Karat. The argument began when Brinda Karat,interrupting the debate,alleged that a special train carrying a group of disabled persons from Howrah to Delhi they had boarded the train to take part in a demonstration in the national Capital ran out of water. She dubbed it as an inhuman situation. The Railway Ministry took the full money for a special train for disabled persons coming from West Bengal. They charged Rs 17 lakh. There was not a drop of water on the train. There was nobody available to help them. And now we are talking about Maha Duronto and what not, she said. Banerjee retorted saying that the MP was misleading the House. She is distorting the facts. Dont do this drama, the Railway Minister said. The matter did not end there. When Banerjees turn to reply to the debate came,she made Minister of State E Ahamed make a statement on the issue contesting Karats charges. Ahamed,in an unusual statement,gave a list of reasons,including passengers late arrival at Howrah station,their taking bath inside and outside the train and also using water hydrants,for the water shortage on the train. The statement reflected Banerjees eagerness to prove Karat wrong.
