The row over 'tainted' ministers snowballed today into a major impasse in Parliament that is unlikely to end soon. Members of the opposition National Democratic Alliance even targeted Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, accusing him of behaving like a CPI-M politburo member.

Voicing unhappiness over the conduct of the members, Chatterjee said, "I have been saying it is my commitment to give full opportunity, subject to availability of time and rules, to all members to give expression to their views." He again appealed to them to maintain decorum and follow the rules.

"He [Chatterjee] is not behaving as an impartial speaker, but he is behaving as a member of the CPI-M politburo," BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

Chatterjee said, "If they feel that, I am sorry. With folded hands I appeal to the members... I have no sort of ego..."

Similar sentiments were expressed by the Bharatiya Janata Party's ally, Nationalist Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee. The MP from Calcutta South said she was "shocked" by Chatterjee's conduct. "The Chair must be impartial," she remarked.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a meeting with Leader of the Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani, but there was no indication of an immediate end to the parliamentary impasse.