Kerala assembly plunges into uproar over CM's taunt

The Kerala assembly witnessed angry scenes as verbal clashes broke out between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and opposition legislators on Tuesday.

The uproar erupted after Vijayan made a curt remark about the opposition legislators' protest over the steep hike in the professional education sector. This led to an abrupt end to the day's sitting of the assembly.

Vijayan has been well known all through his political career for his tough posturing, and while replying to an adjournment motion moved by the Congress-led opposition on the hike, he termed the ongoing Youth Congress strike against the fee hike, as being "done for TV channels".

As soon as he made this remark, angry opposition members rushed to the well of the house shouting slogans against Vijayan's statement.

To make things worse, Vijayan again taunted the opposition legislators and asked them not to pull off any tricks in the house as it won't work.

This made the opposition angrier and the slogan shouting intensified, but Vijayan stood his ground and said what needs to be said will be said.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala responded to Vijayan by saying that his threats won't work on the floor of the assembly.

"The tone, language and the tenor of Vijayan does not fit the post that he holds. You should not forget you are sitting on a chair where several stalwarts sat and you are speaking as if you are presiding your party meeting. A CM should not stoop so low, and should be tolerant. Perhaps what you speak may be the style of Vijayan, but it does not suit a chief minister," said Chennithala.

Chennithala then asked Speaker P.Sreeramakrishnan to ensure that either Vijayan apologises for his curt remarks or these are expunged.

With the Speaker keeping silent, the opposition members started slogan shouting and forced the Speaker to rush through the listed business as the day's sitting came to a close.

--IANS

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