Humza Yousaf has been accused of "shifting the goal posts" on how to win Scottish independence.
The First Minister announced last weekend his government would achieve a mandate for an IndyRef2 by winning the most seats in Scotland at the next general election.
But that declaration was challenged by opposition parties today as MSPs gathered at Holyrood to debate independence for the second time in six months.
It follows the publication last week of the Scottish Government's latest paper on the subject, which argues Scotland should adopt a written constitution if the country votes for ending the Union in the future.
The parties were split along the usual lines with Labour and the Conservatives arguing that SNP and Green ministers should be focusing on other issues such as the cost of living crisis.
Jamie Hepburn, the SNP minister for independence, asked: "Does the Labour party believe, fundamentally, that people's rights should be codified in a written constitution?
"Or do they believe in the supremacy of the philosophy of the sovereignty of the Westminster parliament, where they can be changed at the whim of a government?"
Labour MSP Neil Bibby hit back: "We do believe there should be a change in the government at Westminster - and we need a Labour government to bring about the social, economic and political change that Scotland needs."
He added: "SNP members are being asked not to ask hard questions about an abysmal record on public services - and of a failure to make a credible case for Scottish independence which can command the support of fellow Scots.
"A case the government presumably know they are failing to make. Because at the weekend, Humza Yousaf shifted the goalposts.
"So much so he can apparently achieve independence without a majority of people actually voting for it or the SNP."
Donald Cameron, Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman, said: "Last weekend, Humza Yousaf announced that he wants to turn the next General Election into another polarising and divisive vote on breaking up the United Kingdom.
"The First Minister is insisting on a turbocharged version of Nicola Sturgeon’s de facto referendum proposal – which plays to a narrow audience of nationalists and ignores the wishes of the majority of Scots.
"We have long known that this SNP-Green government has run out of ideas and ambition, and this debate is further proof of their warped priorities."
Angus Robertson, the Constitution Secretary, described the government's latest independence paper as an "exciting document".
He said: "Regardless of whether anyone wishes Scotland to be independent or not, imagine the future of the country where its rights and obligations were represented through a written constitution - just like pretty much every other single country in the world."
