New Delhi: The Jogi tape controversy today (Dec 8, 2003) plunged Lok Sabha into turmoil with an agitated BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) training its guns on Congress president Sonia Gandhi and demanding an explanation from her whether the former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister had taken her consent to split BJP Legislature Party, forcing adjournment of the House for nearly two hours.

The BJP, which has given a notice for breach of privilege against Gandhi, described Ajit Jogi's attempt to allegedly bribe the party MLAs to break the party as the "most shameful" episode in India's five decades of democracy.

Amidst strong protests by Congress members, BJP members Madan Lal Khurana, V K Malhotra, Kirit Somaiyya and others wanted Gandhi's presence in the House and a statement on the issue.

Khurana alleged that in the entire episode to form a Government with the support of 37 Congress MLAs, Gandhi was "as much responsible" as Jogi under the law.

Malhotra, who is BJP's Chief Whip, said his party would not allow the House to function till the Leader of the Opposition came before it and gave her explanation.

He said no Congress Chief Minister could dare to "sneeze" without the permission of the party president and asked how Jogi could have attempted this operation without her nod.

Hitting back at the BJP, S Jaipal Reddy, Congress, said the BJP "sting operation" was within the knowledge of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and that Law Minister Arun Jaitley was a "a party to it".

Congress Chief Whip P R Dasmunsi raised the cash-on-camera scam allegedly involving BJP leader from Chhattisgarh Dilip Singh Judeo.

Speaker Manohar Joshi said the Congress notice for an adjournment motion on the Judeo issue was under his consideration.

He said the Prime Minister will make a statement on the Judeo issue in the House tomorrow (Dec 9). He also said BJP member Somaiyya has moved a notice for breach of privilege against Gandhi on the Jogi episode.

As the Congress and BJP members traded charges and counter-charges, the Speaker adjourned the House till 14:00 hours.

PTI