New Delhi, Dec 08: The Jogi episode rocked Rajya Sabha today as determined BJP members raised the issue which was strongly objected to by Congress stalling the proceedings and leading to adjournment of the House for nearly two hours. Soon after question hour, BJP member S S Ahluwalia, supported by several of his party colleagues, demanded an explanation from the leader of the opposition Manmohan Singh about Jogi's alleged attempt to split BJP legislature party in Chhattisgarh to help form a non-BJP government in the state.

Angry Congress members sprang to their feet countering slogan-shouting BJP members throwing the House into turmoil.

Repeated pleas by deputy chairperson Najma Heptulla to restore order went unheeded as both sides continued the slanging match.

Charges traded by them were not audible in the din.

At one point of time, BJP members were heard shouting "Sonia Gandhi jawab do (Sonia Gandhi should respond)".

Congress members, including Suresh Pachauri and H R Bhardwaj, tried to shout down BJP MPs, including the firebrand Ahluwalia, who alleged that Jogi had offered money to a newly-elected BJP MLA to effect a split in the party and help form a non-BJP government. Amidst shouts of 'shame, shame' from ruling party benches, Ahluwalia said what sort of moral values Congress preached by indulging in such practices to capture power through the back door.

As Ahluwalia charged Jogi with manipulating MLAs through money power, Congress members rushed to the aisle.

Even after Heptulla asked them to go back to their seats, they kept chanting slogans.

As uproarious scenes continued for over ten minutes, the Chairperson warned if they did not calm down, she would be forced to adjourn the House.

Heptulla then adjourned the House till 1400 hours. Bureau Report