Yesterday, the Opposition stalled both houses of Parliament over the coal scam as well. But what really made news was when the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Rajiv Shukla, was caught on tape advising the Rajya Sabha Chair to adjourn the House.

The UPA Minister was caught on camera telling the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, "There is going to be an uproar. Adjourn the session for the whole day."

However, defending his act in the Rajya Sabha, Shukla said there was nothing wrong in what he did. He said, There is nothing wrong in what I did in Rajya Sabha. It is up to the Speaker or the Chairperson to listen to our advise or not."

The Rajya Sabha also appeared to defend Shukla, with sources in the Upper House of Parliament saying it was a normal practice by a Parliamentary Affairs Minister to advise the chairperson or the deputy chairperson on adjournment of the House.

Kurien, who was elected as the Deputy Chairman, had just occupied the Chair when members of entire Opposition started shouting slogans against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the government.Amid the din, Shukla, who is Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, went to the chair and whispered in the ears of Kurien to adjourn the House.

More on Moneycontrol.com