The Parliament's budget session resumed on Tuesday on a sour note, with the Lok Sabha adjourned till Wednesday as the Opposition raised a din over Government allegations against former Defence Minister George Fernandes.
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee called the adjournment as Opposition members, including BJP President LK Advani, were on their feet as the House assembled and shouted slogans against the Congress-led Government.
They were referring to a fresh affidavit the Government has filed in the Supreme Court saying the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been asked to probe 23 cases related to alleged malpractices in military purchases during the reign of the BJP-led coalition government that lost power last year. Fernandes was then Defence Minister.
Despite Chatterjee's repeated appeals, the members refused to take their seats. Those from the BJP, the Janata Dal-United and the Shiv Sena were more vocal than the others. Some of them also accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of influencing the Government to act against Fernandes.
BJP leader VK Malhotra thundered: "This is immoral, illegal and unconstitutional." The veteran politician accused the Government of "political vendetta".
{{/usCountry}}BJP leader VK Malhotra thundered: "This is immoral, illegal and unconstitutional." The veteran politician accused the Government of "political vendetta".
{{/usCountry}}Defence Minister and Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee said the Government was ready for a "full-fledged discussion over the issue" and if the Speaker agreed, the matter could be taken up on Tuesday.
But the Opposition members refused to relent, leading to the Lok Sabha's brief adjournment.