New Delhi: The controversial issue of disinvestment in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) rocked the Lok Sabha on April 24, forcing its abrupt adjournment for the day as a determined Opposition stalled proceedings, charging the government with starting the process of sell off in the oil majors without taking Parliament into confidence.

Agitated Congress members stormed the Well of the House shouting slogans "desh ko bechna bandh karo" (stop selling the country), forcing Speaker Manohar Joshi to adjourn the House for the day.

As the house re-assembled in the post-lunch session, Congress chief whip Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi again raised the issue seeking a categorical assurance from the government that it would not disinvest in the oil majors.

He said the Opposition would not co-operate till such an assurance was given.

He contended that over 300 members except those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were opposed to the disinvestment in HPCL and BPCL, and it would be an insult to Parliament if government failed to act in tune with the spirit of the House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's contention that the government has no objection for a discussion on the issue and was even ready to advance the debate slated for May 8 failed to pacify the agitated Opposition.

PTI