Interesting read on the Telegraph, Calcutta.

Yesterday, railway minister Mukul Roy drove to Parliament after the swearing-in at Rashtrapati Bhavan yeterday, but was not present in the Lok Sabha when the discussion on the railway budget started, prompting the Opposition to ask, "Where is the minister?'

BJP members continued with the uproar despite junior minister K.H. Muniyappa's plea that Mukul was in the Rajya Sabha being introduced to the House by the Prime Minister and would reach the lower House soon.

Trinamul's leader in the Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay joined him to make a similar submission.

Even as Sudip was speaking, Mukul entered the House and said he was with the Prime Minister in the Rajya Sabha.

The Opposition calmed down but tried to rib Mukul a little later when he was seen leaving the House. "Mantriji, kahan jaa rahe hain? (Honourable minister, where are you going?),' called out a BJP member.

The startled minister turned and said: "I am going to the Rajya Sabha.' Sudip then said: "He is going to the Rajya Sabha. There is voting in the Rajya Sabha.'

BJP member Sumitra Mahajan, who was speaking on the budget, used the opportunity to make a sarcastic comment. "Mujhe koi problem nahi hai' jaiye mantriji.. aana jaana laga rahega (I have no problem' carry on minister' coming and going will continue),' Sumitra said, sparking a round of laughter.