The Opposition members wanted Chief Minister Narayan Rane and his deputy Gopinath Munde to sack the ``scam-tainted'' State Social Welfare Minister from the alliance Cabinet.

Leader of the Opposition, Chhagan Bhujbal, tried to raise the matter through an adjournment motion soon after the Question Hour was over in the Legislative Council. ``The General Branch of Crime Investigation Department of the Mumbai Police have stated in the court that the Minister, his wife and a trusted servant have received lakhs in kickbacks for depositing public money in Awami Cooperative Bank. I had raised the matter during the Winter Session of the State Legislature at Nagpur last year, but the ruling members said I was levelling baseless accusations. Now the Mumbai police, after conducting investigations into the matter, havefiled an affidavit before the court which clearly establishes the fact that the Minister is corrupt.

Gholap must step down as minister immediately, as a chief minister and a minister of state have resigned after the Bombay High Court passed strictures against them. If he does not resign on his own, Chief Minister Narayan Rane and Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde must sack Gholap from the Cabinet,'' Bhujbal said.

Janata Dal member Vyamkappa Patki read out the affidavit filed by the Mumbai police. He said the Minister has received Rs 40 lakh, his wife Rs 17 lakh and a trusted servant, Bhikaji Korade, Rs 13 lakh. He demanded that the Government should sack the Minister, let the police arrest him and conduct another inquiry into the scam by high-ranking officers of the State CID.

Council chairperson Prof N S Pharande, however, was reluctant to allow the members to carry on with the debate on the matter. ``We have had a debate on the subject during Question Hour last week. Moreover, a subjudice mattercan not be discussed on the floor of the House. I reject the adjournment motion,'' Pharande ruled.

Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde, who was present in the House, watched the Opposition members create chaotic situation over the issue. The Opposition members then gathered together and started shouting anti-Government slogans. As Pharande proceeded to conduct further business on the agenda by calling each item, the Opposition members walked out of the House.