AIADMK force RS adjournment, seek FM's resignation

New Delhi, Aug 8: Shouting slogans, AIADMK members in the Rajya Sabha today sought the resignation of Finance Minister P Chidambaram alleging his involvement in Vedanta Resources and forced the adjournment of the House till 1200 hours.

As the House assembled and was about take the questions in the morning, the AIADMK members, supported by senior BJP leaders like Sushma Swaraj and Yashwant Sinha, said that the Finance Minister was involved in a financial scam.

The persistent protests by the Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party and the TDP, were followed by slogan shouting by the AIADMK leaders who trooped into the well of the House. ''Chidambaram Resign, Chidambaram Resign'' were the slogans raised by the AIADMK members.

There was brief clash between the Opposition and the Treasury Benches who tried to come to the support of the Finance Minister who was present in the House.

It is alleged in the book 'Vendanta's Billions' that Mr Chidambaram was on the board of the Vedanta Resources, controlled by London-based Anil Agarwal. The Finance Minister has since denied the charges saying he had quit Vedanta Board after be joined the Government.

This is for the second time in this week that the Rajya Sabha was adjourned in the morning. Yesterday, it was adjourned on the issue of the R S Pathak Authority report.

UNI