New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Dec 16, 2004) set at rest the controversy over the alleged spat between his cabinet colleagues Laloo Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan saying that the matter be treated as "closed" as both have denied allegations in Parliament.

"Both (Laloo and Paswan) have made statements in Parliament denying they have made any such allegations against each other," the Prime Minister said in the Rajya Sabha when senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Sushma Swaraj sought a clarification from him on the issue.

"In the light of clarifications, the matter may be settled and there is no need for any further clarification," he said.

Early this week, the House was thrown into turmoil over the issue as BJP-led Opposition stalled proceedings demanding a statement from the Prime Minister as it pertained to collective responsibility of his Council of Ministers.