New Delhi: The Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha were adjourned until Monday after the Opposition and the Government argued over the Pathak Committee’s report on the Oil-for-Food scam.
The report, which was given to the Prime Minister on Thursday, has absolved the Congress and accused former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh and his son Jagat Singh of misusing their power.
Being at the receiving end for the past week over the 'mole' issue, the BJP was on the offensive and led the charge to pin down the Government both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
In the Lok Sabha, the Opposition, Left parties and the RJD alleged that the report was leaked to the media.
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee allowed an impromptu discussion after Opposition members attacked the Government over the "leakage" of the report ahead of its tabling in Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition L K Advani expressed "surprise" over "leakage" of the report.
"I was surprised when a TV channel reported that Congress party has been exonerated by the (Pathak Committee's) report even before it could come to the House," he said.
The response by Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi that Government has not leaked the report only drew vociferous protests from the Opposition benches.
The BJP members marched to the well and promptly the Speaker adjourned the House till 1500 hours. Later, the House was adjourned till Monday.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon without transacting any business following uproar over the report.
As soon as the House began, BJP members led by former External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha demanded to raise the issue. Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said nothing would go on record.
Treasury benches shouted "mole, mole". Shekhawat asked MPs to maintain order and adjourned the House for an hour.
Later, the House was adjourned till Monday.
CNN-IBN has learnt that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has already held a round of consultations with senior party leaders on what action should be taken against Natwar.
The BJP and other Opposition members have strongly contended that the Congress party, which has been named along with Natwar Singh as a non-contractual beneficiary, could not be let off the hook without strictures.
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