New Delhi, Dec 1 (IANS): A ruckus was created in the Rajya Sabha Monday as opposition leaders slammed the government for not increasing minimum support price (MSP) for paddy and cotton crops.

The issue was raised in the zero hour by Congress leader Ahmad Patel, who said farmers are suffering because the MSP is lower than the rate of production.

He was joined by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal (United), Naresh Agarwal of Samajwadi Party (SP) and Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party.

They said that the MSP for both the crops were lower than the cost of production and demanded an answer from the government. They later trooped near the chairman's podium.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien tried to pacify the leaders and said he will ask the government to respond.

However, members from the Congress, SP, BSP and some other parties continued to protest and the upper house was adjourned twice for five minutes each.