A political tug-of-war intensified Thursday as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on the opposition parties to stop attacking Cabinet ministers embroiled in funding scandals.

His No. 2 went so far as to suggest the prime minister might dissolve the Lower House if critics do not shut up and stop obstructing Diet sessions.

During Thursday's budget committee session in the Lower House, Abe called on opposition lawmakers to stop calling out ministers and focus instead on "key policy issues" in the Diet.