New Delhi: Angry and abusive exchanges between Railway Minister and a JDU (Janata Dal-United) member over the issue of spat between Laloo Prasad and his Cabinet colleague Ram Vilas Paswan threatened to turn ugly forcing adjournment of Lok Sabha for half-an-hour today (Dec 9, 2004).

Soon after the Question Hour was over, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and other NDA (National Democratic Alliance) members were on their feet demanding an explanation from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Laloo-Paswan spat which they said was "very serious".

As Paswan rose to make a personal clarification, NDA members shouted that nothing short of Prime Minister's clarification would satisfy them since the Railway Minister had misled the House that he had never made any charge against Paswan.

BJP Deputy leader V K Malhotra said all TV channels and newspapers had yesterday (Dec 8) carried the allegations made by Laloo against Paswan even though the Railway Minister had denied it.

In the midst of uproar, shouts and counter shouts, Paswan too stated that he had made allegations against the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) Government in Bihar but he had never made any charges against a Minister of UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government.

His remarks were in the context of Bihar Government and not against any Ministerial colleague at the Centre, Paswan said, adding this was not a violation of the principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.

Amid slogan shouting, Prabhunath Singh of JDU made certain remarks against Laloo, which infuriated him.

As they were shouting at each other and members from both sides were menacingly surging forward, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the House for half-an-hour.

Later, the Speaker expunged the remarks made by Laloo, RJD member Raghunath Jha and some other members.