NEW DELHI, APRIL 25: With the Prime Minister’s Office getting dragged into the controversy over Shipping Minister TR Baalu’s alleged misuse of his position, the Opposition on Friday stepped up its pressure on the Government demanding the minister’s resignation and a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

BJP and AIADMK members disrupted the proceedings and forced three adjournments. The House could not carry out any business after the Question Hour. The Opposition members waved copies of, what they claimed were, letters written by the PMO to the Petroleum Minister in support of Baalu’s request for gas supplies to two companies with which he was associated in the past and in which his sons continue to have a major interest now.

Demanding that the PM clear his position on the issue, the entire Opposition was on its feet immediately after the Question Hour, asking for a discussion on a notice moved by BJP member Ravishankar Prasad. But PJ Kurien, who was in the chair, disallowed the request and asked the members to first listen to a suo motu statement by Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the status in Jammu and Kashmir.

With the Opposition members not relenting, the chairperson was forced to adjourn the House for 20 minutes. But the commotion continued when the House reconvened at 12.30 pm. It was adjourned again till 2 pm. The final adjournment came within 10 minutes of the post-lunch session with the Opposition members not agreeing to anything less than a statement from the Prime Minister.