Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan announced on Friday (October 09) that the Kerala Legislative Assembly will convene its upcoming session on Monday (October 12). Sittings are scheduled across nine days this month: Monday (October 12), Tuesday (October 13), Wednesday (October 14), Thursday (October 15), Friday (October 16), Sunday (October 25), Tuesday (October 27), Wednesday (October 28), and Thursday (October 29). However, the session opens against a backdrop of fierce political confrontation, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plans to challenge the legal standing of the state government on the House floor.

Four legislative bills scheduled for assembly review

Lawmakers will take up four bills during the session. Two measures are already set for consideration: the Kerala Court Fees and Suits Valuation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Kerala Amendment) Bill, 2026. The state government may also introduce two additional proposals. Explaining the procedure, Speaker Radhakrishnan stated: "Additionally, there is a proposal from the government's side that two more bills might be introduced. Once those are presented, we will decide their schedule in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on October 12".

Friday (October 16) has been set aside for private members' business. On the same day, the House will examine supplementary and excess demands for grants spanning five financial years since 2017.

BJP questions legitimacy of state assembly

The legislative agenda coincides with a fresh political offensive launched by the BJP. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced on Friday (October 09) that the party will question the legitimacy of Kerala's Congress-led government inside the Assembly. The challenge follows remarks by Congress leaders raising doubts about election validity following the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise. Concurrently, Opposition Congress members have been staging protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll revision irregularities.

In a message on 'X', Chandrasekhar confirmed that the BJP will bring up the issue when the House meets on Monday (October 12). He revealed that Legislative Party Leader Gopakumar will write directly to the Speaker. Following elections held in April this year after the SIR process, the BJP holds three seats in the 140-member House. Asking about the legal standing of the Assembly, Chandrasekhar said: "What is the legitimacy of this Assembly? Is this an illegal Assembly or a legal one".

He added: "Our Legislative Party Leader Gopakumar is going to write a letter to the Speaker". Emphasising the impact on all members, Chandrasekhar noted: "The first thing to be discussed in the Assembly, which affects me, V Muraleedharan, Gopakumar (All BJP legislators) and 137 MLAs, is whether all of us are illegal". He urged Chief Minister V D Satheesan to address the issue directly, stating: "If it is illegal, he should resign".

Congress and CPM defend election results

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph rejected the BJP's stance, calling it "lame excuses". Joseph explained that he had personally taken legal steps regarding the election process. "As the KPCC president, I myself filed petitions in the Kerala High Court and later in the Supreme Court, obtained directions, and spoke multiple times in all the meetings convened by the Electoral Officer who was in charge of the election at that time. We were the ones who had complaints," Joseph said. He questioned whether the BJP or CPM had raised concerns during those official meetings.

Joseph argued that electoral administration should focus on voter access. "The stand taken by the Election Commission regarding a voter should be aimed at making the vote available to a citizen. It shouldn't be about rejecting votes, but about including votes," he stressed. He added that concerns regarding the SIR exercise exist nationally, pointing to media reports of internal disagreements within the Election Commission. Responding to the BJP's win of three assembly seats, Joseph noted that the BJP captured constituencies previously held by the ruling front, defeating candidates from both the UDF and the CPM-led front in an election that remained largely peaceful. Asked about the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) questioning the election's validity, Joseph remarked that the group must explain its position.

Taking a different view, CPM leader P Rajeev highlighted notable voter fluctuations across various constituencies. Rajeev stated: "In some constituencies, the votes have increased unusually. In other constituencies, the votes have decreased significantly. Therefore, the issue that this was not a normal pattern has been raised". He alleged that the SIR exercise was used to further BJP political interests and urged a collective effort to secure democratic transparency. Rajeev also noted that some INDIA bloc constituents have demanded a return to paper ballots amid nationwide discussions on electoral integrity.

New apartments and literary festival announced

Alongside political debates, Speaker Radhakrishnan announced administrative updates for legislators and the public. The newly constructed Pamba Block, offering 64 residential apartments for MLAs, will be inaugurated on Monday (October 26). Contractors will hand over the keys on Thursday (October 15). "The construction work is complete. They have agreed to hand over the keys on the 15th. On the 26th, the CM, the Leader of the Opposition, other party leaders, the PWD minister, the deputy Speaker and all of you will attend," Radhakrishnan said.

The project aims to solve accommodation shortages experienced during past legislative meetings. Explaining the issue, the Speaker said: "During the last session, we could not accommodate many members here, so we had to book rooms outside to provide them accommodation. Once the allotment of these 64 apartments is completed, their accommodation difficulties will end".

The Assembly's annual book festival is also undergoing a major structural change. It will now be known as a Literary Festival. Radhakrishnan explained: "The key suggestion was to transform it into a Literary Festival. Because internationally, these are held as literary festivals". The upcoming fifth edition will focus on Malayalam literature, local authors, and regional arts. The previous edition accommodated 170 publishers across 282 stalls. However, event spending will be kept modest due to state financial pressures. "Since the state is passing through a financial crunch, we do not have the scope to spend heavily. Therefore, the decision this time is to reduce expenditure while enhancing quality," the Speaker noted.

Cultural commemorations have also been scheduled. A special function will take place on Sunday (November 01) for Kerala Piravi Day at Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall. Radhakrishnan said: "On November 1, we plan to hold the event at the Sankaranarayanan Thampi Hall to honour them, accompanied by small-scale cultural programmes to mark the day". The event will honour former Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and legislators. Looking further ahead, the Assembly will mark its Platinum Jubilee on Tuesday (April 27, 2027), celebrating 70 years. The Speaker confirmed: "There is also a decision to fittingly celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on April 27, 2027".

Speaker seeks legal view on MLA disqualification

The Speaker also addressed the High Court direction regarding Pala MLA Mani C Kappan. Kappan, a UDF legislator, was convicted in cheque-bounce cases in Mumbai. A complainant subsequently moved the Kerala High Court, which asked the Speaker to decide on Kappan's disqualification.

Speaker Radhakrishnan confirmed receiving the High Court order and stated that he has referred the matter to the state's senior law officer. "There are a few small details in that. In the context of a court verdict, the High Court sent it to the Speaker. I have forwarded it to the Advocate General for legal advice. Based on the legal advice, whatever action is required will be decided," Radhakrishnan stated.