NDA demands PM's resignation over Pathak Report leak

New Delhi, Aug 7: The BJP-led Opposition today stalled Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the leak of the Justice Pathak Inquiry Report.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the House till 1145 hrs after the NDA members trooped into the well, continuously shouting slogans for more than 15 minutes.

They said the Report was an attempt to save Congress President Sonia Gandhi whose party was named a non-contractual beneficiary in the UN oil-for-food scam in Iraq by the Volcker Committee, while former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh had been made a scapegoat.

As soon as the House met for the day, BJP Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra stood up to say that the whole country was concerned over what had happened. He said he had given a privilege notice against the Prime Minister. Intervening, the Speaker said he had already expressed his resentment over the leak on Friday and asked the government to hold an inquiry. He said the notice was under his consideration.

He then called for the first question, but the NDA members were on their feet, shouting slogan, ''Pradhan Mantri istifa do (PM resign).'' Demanding the Prime Minister's resignation, they trooped into the well.

The Prime Minister was not present in the House.

They then raised the tempo and chanted slogans, ''Sonia bachaya, Natwar dubaya (Sonia has been saved, and Natwar made a scapegoat)'', and ''Congress ka lafda hai, Natwar ko pakda hai (It's the Congress' scam, and Natwar has made a fall guy)''.

As the slogan-chanting continued till 1125 hrs, Mr Chatterjee again intervened, saying he had already stated that the privilege notice, given at 1000 hrs today, was under his consideration, but even then the House was not allowed to be run.

He then adjourned the House till 1145 hrs.

UNI