NEW DELHI: Both the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday sought to play down the differences that erupted in the Lok Sabha between the Left parties and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over the introduction of the Indian Maritime University Bill. While the CPI (M) called it a "lapse in communication" which did not amount to a "breach of understanding," the Congress said the chapter was closed, thanks to the statesmanship displayed by all concerned and with the apology tendered by the Left parties on the floor of the House.

"Not condemning"

Briefing mediapersons, Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said that while the leader of the party in the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia had expressed regret for the behaviour of its members, the CPI (M) was not condemning the incident because "it is the result of strong passions felt by people of West Bengal on the issue."

As for Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani's observation that a civil war-like situation had emerged in the ruling coalition, Mr. Yechury reminded him that the CPI (M) was not a member of the Government. The differences over the bill came into the open primarily because it was introduced without prior notice.

When it was pointed out that the bill was on the Revised List of Business for the day, Mr. Yechury said five CPI (M) members had given notice to the Speaker in the morning expressing their opposition to its introduction. Conceding that it had been listed in the schedule for this session, he maintained that it was brought up without notice and after CPI (M) members from West Bengal met the Prime Minister earlier this month to express their opposition to the move.

Pointing out that his party was not opposed to the setting up of the maritime university in Chennai, Mr. Yechury said it was only pressing for upgrading the Marine Engineering Research Institute, Kolkata, a university. The bill sought to turn it into a regional campus of the proposed university.

The Congress charged the Bharatiya Janata Party, which described the fracas as "unfortunate, shameful and unprecedented," with trying to fish in troubled waters. Responding to Mr. Advani's comment, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said: "It is unfortunate that this happened but it is behind us now. Statesmanship has been shown by all sides."

Earlier, Sushma Swaraj (BJP) attributed the turn of events to the inner contradictions in the United Progressive Alliance, evident through its entire tenure. Also, it reflected the "helplessness" of the Prime Minister and "ineptitude" of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi, whose duty it was to ensure floor coordination.

Admitting that he was caught unawares, Mr. Dasmunsi said that at the introduction stage a bill could be opposed only on grounds of constitutional validity and not on its merits or text as was the case with the CPI (M).

Countering Mr. Advani's charge of a civil war within the UPA, the Minister said if this was one, then how would one describe what happened when National Democratic Alliance members joined the Opposition in snatching away copies of the Women's Reservation Bill from the then Law Minister Ram Jethmalani and tearing them up?

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