The Kerala Assembly was adjourned sine die following disruption of proceedings by the Opposition parties today.
Amidst the pandemonium, the House has quickly passed key legislations like the Finance bill and the Appropriation bill in just 10 minutes. The Budget session, which began on March 9, was originally scheduled to end on April 6.
When the Budget session resume today, the LDF-led Opposition had disrupted the proceedings demanding ouster of Finance Minister KM Mani besides demanding an action against the United Democratic Front (UDF) MLAs for misbehaving with women MLAs of the LDF. Opposition members marched to the House in procession demanding withdrawal of the suspension of five of its members, who were facing action after they ransacked the Speaker's podium on March 13.
Though the LDF had demanded action against the UDF MLAs who allegedly attacked their woman MLAs during the melee on Budget day, chief minister Oommen Chandy has rejected the charges.
Even as the Speaker N Sakthan had sought the cooperation of the Opposition for ensuring smooth functioning of the House, LDF members continued their protest, prompting the Speaker to suspend all other scheduled business, including the question hour.
As soon as the House began, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said the action against LDF MLAs was "unilateral" and also sought action against the UDF members who allegedly misbehaved with the woman legislators.
Rejecting the LDF charges, Chandy said examination of the video footage of March 13 incidents clearly showed UDF MLAs had not misbehaved with any Opposition woman MLAs. Justifying action against five LDF MLAs, Chandy said the government had acted very lenient as the whole world witnessed what had actually happened.
As the LDF members continued their protest by moving into the well of the House with placards demanding Mani's resignation, the FM hurriedly moved both the Bills and the House had passed them.
The Speaker had earlier called a meeting of floor leaders of the ruling party and the Opposition to chalk out a solution to end the stalemate in the House
Meeting failed to arrive at a consensus
Though the suspended MLAs came to the Assembly Complex, they did not enter the Hall and had staged a sit-in at the main entrance. Later, talking to reporters at the Assembly media room, Chandy termed the early adjournment of the House "unfortunate" and blamed the LDF for their "stubborn" stand.
Agitation to continue
Meanwhile, Opposition leader Achuthanandan and other leaders of LDF said they would continue agitation against Mani outside the House till he resigns. The women MLAs also lodged complaints with the police against the harassment they faced on the budget day. They also planned to meet the Governor and explain their bitter experiences.
