Opposition members raised slogans and held up banners in the Legislative Assembly, demanding that Joshi resign in view of the High Court judgment in the case.

Though the court, in its ruling, had made damning observations about the clearances awarded to Sahara by Joshi, who is in charge of Urban Development, the chief minister had sought to portray the judgment as a `victory' for the government and a vindication of its policies.

The issue was raised by Congress member R R Patil who chastised the chief minister for his ``involvement'' in the deal and for announcing concessions to five-star hotels in Mumbai.

Even as Minister of State for Home Gajanan Kirtikar was about to reply, the Opposition trooped into the well of the House raising slogans condemning the chief minister. Dilip Valse-Patil and DigvijayKhanvilkar of the Congress raised a banner accusing the chief minister of grabbing forest land for the Sahara project.