ISLAMABAD, May 4: A tense atmosphere prevailed in Senate on Friday with the controversy over status of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani following his conviction on contempt charges dominating the proceedings and the opposition PML-N announcing a boycott of the debate on the address of the president to the parliament.

The decision to boycott the debate was taken by the PMLN on the grounds that President Asif Ali Zardari was `illegally acting on the advice of Yousuf Raza Gilani who has lost the office along with his cabinet after his conviction in a contempt of court case` The proceedings of the house were marred by an uproar when Mushahidullah Khan of the PML-N said the prime minister had ceased to hold the office after his conviction, and so was the case with his cabinet colleagues.

Lawmakers of the PPP and its allied parties forcefully defended Mr Gilani`s position and finally Senate chairman got the mike of Mushahidullah Khan switched off and the floor was given to the Leader of the House, Jahangir Badar.

The opposition leaders, however, insisted that they had the right to speak first and the government could explain its position on the issue later.

Finally, PML-N lawmakerSyed Zafar Ali Shah was allowed to speak on the subject and Mr Badar was asked by the chair to sit down.

`Our viewpoint is clear.

Acting on the advice of an `illegal` prime minister was a clear violation of the Constitution and we will not take part in discussion on the address of the president performing this `unconstitutional act`,` Mr Shah said.

The members of the PML-N walked out of the house after the brief remarks by Mr Shah without waiting for the response from the other side.

Senator Badar said the president`s address to the joint sitting of parliament was a constitutional requirement and added that the PML-N was not ready to accept the Constitution. `They do not want to see democracy in the country,` he alleged.

Saeed Ghani of the PPP said the PML-N gave lectures on respecting court judgments, and pointed out that the Islamabad High Court had declared as premature a plea seeking Prime Minister Gilani`s ouster from his office following his conviction.

Mian Raza Rabbani asked the opposition to review its decision to boycott the debate on the president`s address. He said the prime minister had invited the president to address the joint sitting ofparliament before the verdict against him was pronounced and argued that the address was in accordance with the Constitution.

Taking part in the discussion on the president`s address, Afrasiyab Khattak of ANP said that conspiracies were being hatched against the democratically elected government ever since it came to power.

`Dates were given for ouster of the government but all democratic forces faced the situation hand in hand.

He regretted that a single party wanted to push the country to the 90s.

He was of the view that local government elections should also be held in Fata.

He said the act of not giving the net profit of electricity to provinces was a violation of the Constitution and Wapda must be stopped from violating the Constitution.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of the JUI-F said that institutions had been interfering in the affairs of the other institutions and this was happening today as well. He said the prime minister had a right to appeal.

He said he had reservations over many court judgments, adding that if the judiciary became partial, it would generate problems.

The house will now meet on Monday at Spm.