Par adjourned amid demand by Oppn for PM's resignation

A united opposition today demanded resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in connection with allegations of bribing members to win the 2008 trust vote forcing adjournment of both Houses of Parliament.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta raised the issue of alleged bribing of members by the government to win the trust vote on the India-US nuclear deal and cited news reports quoting leaked diplomatic cables.

"Never in the history of Indian democracy has such a news appeared in newspapers... Money was paid to members ...This is murder of democracy," Dasgupta said.

"If the Prime Minister does not deny this he should resign immediately," he said.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said the newspaper expose has shamed Indian democracy.

Certain matters that took place right under the nose of a "so-called honest Prime Minister" have come to light, she said.

Swaraj said three BJP members had brought cash to the House in 2008 but the then Speaker had ordered an inquiry against them instead of taking cognisance of the matter.

"An official of the American Embassy was shown a chest full of cash. Is this a display of the bullying tactics of the government or its shamelessness," Swaraj said amid shouts from Congress members.

"This government has lost the moral authority to continue in office and the Prime Minister should resign immediately," she said.

SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav asked the Speaker to allow a discussion on the matter saying his party had also played a key role in saving the UPA-I government.

"We had also worked to save the government in 2008. If all are painted by the same brush, we also stand to lose face. Only a discussion on this matter can clear our name," Yadav said.

At this point, members from both the opposition and ruling benches were on their feet raising slogans and prompting the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings till noon.