A standoff in the Maharashtra assembly was resolved on Thursday with Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal tendering an unconditional apology.

The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party opposition had stalled proceedings of the house demanding an apology from Bhujbal for dragging the prime minister's Office into a controversy.

They also forced the chair to adjourn the house on six occasions. No business could be transacted for over two hours from 1000 IST onwards when the house met, as the protestors shouted slogans demanding Bhujbal's apology.

Bhujbal had on Wednesday stirred a hornets' nest by reading out a transcript of a telephonic conversation between underworld don Chhota Shakeel and film-maker Naseem Rizvi.

In the transcript, Bhujbal said Rizvi talked about the help the latter had allegedly sought from a PMO official regarding transfer of three police officials of the city crime branch.

As the house remained paralysed, senior leaders huddled together in the chamber of Speaker Arun Gujrathi to hammer out a solution.

When the house met after six adjournments, Bhujbal apologised saying if references in his speech had hurt the feelings of the prime minister or his office.

"When the war clouds are hovering, it is not wise to cast aspersions on the PMO," Bhujbal said, adding, "even in my speech last evening, I had clarified that I have highest regard for the prime minister and the deputy prime minister."