Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day over Baalu issue

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) Opposition members forced the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha for the day demanding the resignation of Shipping and Transport Minister T R Baalu, who is in the eye of a storm over allegations of misusing of his position to benefit two companies associated with his family.

The House was adjourned twice earlier in the day over the same issue.

Opposition members from the BJP and the AIADMK shouted slogans ''dismiss Baalu'' and ''we want Prime Minister'' as P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, made attempts to run the House and managed to pass the Central Universities Laws (amendment) Bill, 2008.

After 15 minutes of slogan shouting from the opposition, the Chairman adjourned the House for the day. BJP members Sushma Swaraj, S S Ahluwalia and Dr Maitreyan of the AIADMK were most vociferous in their protests.

Earlier in the day, Mr Baalu's issue was raised by the BJP members, who demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clarify the government's stand on the issue.

Mr Baalu, while replying to the charges of AIADMK member V Maitreyan during Zero Hour on April 23, had admitted that he used his position as a Minister to put in a word to the Petroleum Minister to make GAIL restore supply of gas to the two companies.

EDS: Pick up suitably from earlier series.

UNI RT RL BD1435