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The opposition and ruling benches clashed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday over certain objectionable remarks made against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi by a Samata Party member, forcing adjournment of the House thrice in an hour's span.
Congress members, supported by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Left parties, repeatedly trooped into the well demanding an "unqualified apology" from Samata Party member Prabhunath Singh for his charge that Sonia was involved in a case of smuggling of statues to Italy.
Singh told the House that he was withdrawing his remarks, but would place before the House documents in support of his statement on Friday. He also made it clear that he had no intention to apologise for his comments.
Congress members, led by S Jaipal Reddy and P R Dasmunsi, took serious exception to Singh's "heavily qualified apology " and requested the speaker to direct him to withdraw his remarks unconditionally.
As the protests continued, Joshi adjourned the House for the third time for the lunch recess.
The trouble started when Congress members objected to Defence Minister George Fernandes replying to a query during the Question Hour on the grounds that he had not been cleared in the Tehelka case.
PTI
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