BJP Presses For PM's Resignation, Parliament Adjourned Till Thursday

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal countered them by saying they were running away from a debate on the issue. "They are running away from debate. We will tear apart their charges," he said.

Earlier, Bansal defended the coal block allocations, saying: "There is no wrong doing on the part of the government. The coal block allocation was done in the nation's interest and country's development."

In the Rajya Sabha, following disruption by the opposition members, Congress member E.M.S. Nachiappan, who was in chair, adjourned the house for the day shortly after 2 p.m.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said the BJP was running away from the debate.

But BJP leader Arun Jaitley was not impressed.

"The prime minister must accept his culpability in this matter and the reason is very obvious. In the five out of eight years, only 142 coal blocks were allocated. This means public revenue suffered and private parties gained. He himself was the coal minister," Jaitley told a news channel.

"In the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the minister concerned resigned. And when he resigned, others tried to escape from their responsibility. This is a case where the prime minister was the coal minister and the government is putting a brave face and saying they are ready for a debate. But why do you require a debate?" he said.

"If in December 2010, we had not held up the winter session (A.) Raja would not have resigned... Our pressure in parliament did work in the 2G scam and I hope it does work even now."

BJP leader Balbir Punj told IANS: "The prime minister is the prime accused in this case. How can we have a debate on the issue unless he resigns? We are ready for discussion only after he resigns."