New Delhi:
Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal is angry. His key education reform legislation - The Education Tribunal Bill - failed to pass in the Rajya Sabha.
He has complained to the Prime Minister and now plans to meet his party boss - Sonia Gandhi. His grouse - the loudest opponent to the bill was his own party man K Keshav Rao.
"If the report of such a panel (Parliamentary Standing Committee) is rejected and the House is not even told, it is unacceptable. Everybody should learn to respect the Standing Committee. I respect the minister because his brain runs faster than his deeds," Keshav Rao said, adding, "The Standing Committee is not to indulge in fashion dialogue or talks for talk's sake."
Sibal fumbled for answers as this was unexpected. The Lok Sabha had cleared his bill, which proposes setting up of tribunals to settle disputes in educational institutions.
The Opposition benches celebrated Sibal's discomfort. Rao was scathing in his attack as Sibal's bill ignored all suggestions made by a Parliamentary committee.
Sibal now has no option but to wait for the winter session.
"It's correct, our party has opposed it and that's why keeping the sentiment of the House in mind, we decided to bring this up in the next session and the discussion on it has been differed upon," he said.
This trend of senior leaders' public disagreements is worrying for the Congress. From the Batla house encounter to Enemy Property Bill and action against Naxals, Congressmen are crossing the 'Laxman Rekha' and taking swipes at their own colleagues.