New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha today (June 8, 2004) witnessed uproarious scenes with unrelenting Opposition demanding resignation of "tainted" ministers in the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government leading to adjournment of the House after nearly half-an-hour of heated exchanges between the ruling and Opposition members.

Soon after the House assembled, Congress member Karan Singh moved a resolution on the motion of thanks to the President's address and immediately thereafter the Opposition members led by Deputy Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), were up on their feet demanding an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue before the House could take up any other matter.

As Swaraj, backed by slogan-shouting party colleagues, noisily raised the demand, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) members led by Ram Deo Bhandari and several Congress members resorted to counter charges and when repeated plea for order went unheeded, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat adjourned the House for the day.

Amidst noisy scenes, Swaraj said President A P J Abdul Kalam in his address to joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament yesterday had said that the Congress-led coalition Government was committed to rooting out corruption.

But she wondered how could the Government fight corruption when persons who face criminal charges were in the Council of Ministers. "The conduct of Government is not measured by its promises but by its action," she added.

Swaraj said Leader of Opposition Jaswant Singh was not allowed to raise this issue by the slogan shouting ruling party members and until Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came to the House and replied to the issue, no other business could be taken up.

"Until this issue is resolved and a satisfactory reply given by the Prime Minister to the questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition, only then other issues could be taken up," she said.

"If government was serious about combating corruption in an effective manner as mentioned in paragraph 46 of President's address, then this matter should be resolved first, Swaraj said.