Protests, war of words in Kerala Assembly; UDF MLA attempts to jump onto dais, Speaker walks out

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly was adjourned following strong protests by the Opposition, which accused the government of derailing the investigation into the Sabarimala gold smuggling case. As the protest escalated, UDF MLAs attempted to climb onto the Speaker’s dais, forcing Speaker AN Shamseer to rise from his chair and walk out. The House was adjourned. It was UDF MLA Anwar Sadath who attempted to jump onto the dais, and other MLAs followed, but Watch and Ward staff intervened and stopped them.

The Opposition said it would not cooperate with Assembly proceedings, alleging that the probe into the Sabarimala gold smuggling case was being sabotaged. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan alleged that the investigation had hit a dead end due to interference from the Chief Minister’s Office.

“All the accused are getting bail. Unnikrishnan Potti will also be released soon. The SIT probe has been shaped under pressure from the Chief Minister’s Office. We will not cooperate with Assembly proceedings and will intensify our protests both inside and outside the House,” the Opposition Leader said.

Minister MB Rajesh questioned the nature of the Opposition’s conduct, asking what kind of excesses were being committed. “These are supporters of Priyanka Gandhi, who went to have tea with Prime Minister Modi on the day Parliament passed a new scheme after undermining the employment guarantee programme,” Rajesh alleged.

He said the Opposition’s actions amounted to contempt for democracy. “They are being repeatedly reprimanded by the High Court. Most recently, they were rapped over the Sprinklr case. Having lost in court, the Opposition is venting its anger in the Assembly,” Rajesh said.