After days of acrimony and uproar, it was back to business as Parliament on Monday resumed the Budget session after a three-week recess but the 'tainted' ministers' issue continued to cast its shadow on the proceedings.
The Lok Sabha, which witnessed repeated adjournments after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led opposition sought to put the government on the mat for taking into the Union Council of Ministers 'tainted' persons, saw the issue being again raised by a BJP member.
Sushil Kumar Modi demanded removal of Taslimuddin from the Government and wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explain the circumstances under which he appointed the RJD member as a minister.
Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, who had earlier voiced his anguish over the stalling of proceedings, today made it clear that he would not be browbeaten by members.
The first to draw his ire was Modi who went on despite Chatterjee calling the next member to speak.
Modi charged that the withdrawal of cases against Taslumuddin by the Bihar government was a 'blatant and naked' act of State power.
"That is a matter of the state government," Chatterjee responded urging him to take his seat.
Modi continued drawing protests from RJD and other members from the ruling benches.
A visibly angry Chatterjee said, "This is Parliament of India. What are you doing? Don't browbeat me. Everybody is standing up...I am trying to give everyone an opportunity (to speak)...you are not learning to behave."
As the noisy exchanges continued, the Speaker said, "I am repeatedly requesting you with folded hands (to stop behaving in this manner). This is your House...it is not my House..it is the House of the people...I will not allow anyone to behave as a super Speaker," he said.
When Modi insisted on a government response, the Speaker reminded him: "You can't compel the government to reply."
The Speaker also objected to the loud manner in which Lal Singh, Congress, was seeking to raise his issue. Chatterjee said he would have to take action against some members if this sort of behaviour persisted.
Former Railway Minister Nitish Kumar too could not have his say. "You please give me notice and I will allow you," Chatterjee told Kumar.
To some other members who raised their voices, he curtly told them: "If you think you will get an opportunity to speak earlier than others, you are mistaken. Don't browbeat me."
He told the members: "You all help me (in running the House) and I will help you." At the end of Zero Hour when he had given an opportunity to all listed members to raise their issues of public importance, Chatterjee thanked them for cooperating before adjourning the House for the normal lunch break.