House disrupted for 4th consecutive day as Opposition protests over Sabarimala gold allegations, demands minister’s resignation

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly was disrupted for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday as opposition members staged protests demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan over the Sabarimala gold controversy.

The protest began as soon as Speaker AN Shamseer took his seat. Opposition members showed a banner that blocked the Speaker from view, despite repeated requests from Shamseer to remove it.

The Speaker pointed out that MLA Chandy Oommen was seated in the wrong place and warned that Opposition Leader VD Satheesan would not be given the microphone until the MLA returns to his assigned seat.. Satheesan subsequently criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over an alleged physical altercation the previous day. Minister for local self governments, rural development and excise, MB Rajesh defended the Chief Minister, stating that no individual had been named. The opposition then resumed protests calling for the resignation of the Devaswom Minister.

Repeated instructions from the Speaker to remove the banner only intensified the demonstration. Despite the disruption, Question Hour continued, with the minister for transport KB Ganesh Kumar, responding to questions concerning KSRTC.