NEW DELHI: Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were marred on Tuesday by uproar and slogan shouting by members of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who demanded the resignation of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, to whom references were made in a book on the stock market. The book has references to Sterlite Industries, which took over BALCO.

As soon as the House assembled, the AIADMK members, led by N. Jothi, raised their demand. Some Bharatiya Janata Party members also joined them.

The AIADMK members trooped into the well, shouting slogans "Chidambaram resign." The Minister remained unperturbed in the din.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat pleaded with the members to let question hour continue but the AIADMK members were unrelenting in their demand. "For a long time there has been no question hour," he said.

The din increased as Samajwadi Party MPs joined the AIADMK members. V. Narayansamy and Santosh Bagrodia of the Congress stood up but nothing was audible. As the uproar continued, the Chairman adjourned the House till 12 noon.

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