Chandigarh, Sep 19 (IANS) Leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal Tuesday protested outside the Punjab assembly demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the sale of a multi-million rupees commercial space in Ludhiana.

The leaders raised slogans against the Amarinder Singh government.

They said the state government had compromised interests worth Rs.21 billion in the Ludhiana city centre.

A TV sting operation had shown a private builder - Today Homes and Infrastructure - was selling commercial space in the city centre at 30 percent on-paper price and taking 70 percent of the amount in black money.

The Akali leaders charged the chief minister and Local Bodies Minister Jagjit Singh of indulging in corruption.

Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal and nearly 40 Akali legislators and MPs were present. Inside the assembly, Amarinder Singh carried on with the special session debate on development in Punjab sans any opposition.

Speaker Kewal Krishan had suspended the entire opposition Friday after it created a ruckus inside the house demanding a CBI probe into the issue.

The chief minister claimed the opposition deliberately created a situation to get suspended to avoid a debate on development, as they had nothing to oppose the government's report card.

He listed the achievements of his government, especially in attracting investments of nearly Rs.800 billion in the infrastructure and industry areas.