CPI-M, TMC clash in RS over Clinton visit to WB

New Delhi: CPI-M and Trinamool Congress today clashed in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visiting West Bengal. Trouble started when CPI-M member Shyamal Chakraborty, while demanding that Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore`s birthday be declared a national holiday, said it was "shameful" and "obnoxious" that Clinton has […]

New Delhi: CPI-M and Trinamool Congress today clashed in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visiting West Bengal. Trouble started when CPI-M member Shyamal Chakraborty, while demanding that Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore`s birthday be declared a national holiday, said it was "shameful" and "obnoxious" that Clinton has come to West Bengal on such a day and was "interfering" in India`s internal affairs. Tagore was born on May 7, 1861.

Trinamool Congress members including Sukendhu Sekhar Roy strongly objected to the remarks leading to din in the House. Senior CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury demanded an answer from the government as to how a state government can hold talks with the US Secretary of State. P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, sought to bring order in the House and told Chakraborty that it (Clinton visit) was not the subject of his Zero Hour mention.