Should India 'condemn' the US-led war on Iraq, or should it just 'deplore' it?

The choice of words is what stood between the government and the opposition on Monday as top political leaders gathered in Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi's chamber to adopt a resolution against the US-led action in Iraq.

They will meet again at 10 am on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, opposition leaders said though there was general unanimity on asking for immediate withdrawal of the troops from Iraq and call for rehabilitation process to begin under UN auspices, it all got stuck with the government's unwillingness to use the word 'condemn' in the resolution.

Earlier, opposition leaders met briefly in Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi chamber to chalk out a united opposition strategy, but turned down a resolution drafted by Congress Rajya Sabha member Pranab Mukherjee.

In the Lok Sabha, opposition members sought suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the Iraq issue. The upheaval forced the speaker to adjourn the House till 1400 hours.

The House was adjourned again when it reassembled till 1700 IST.