CPI(M) veteran and Leader of Opposition V S Achuthanandan today demanded registration of cases against the ruling UDF MLAs for allegedly outraging the modesty of LDF women legislators during the March 13 violent incidents in the Kerala Assembly.
"Charges under outraging the modesty of women should be registered against the UDF MLAs who attacked LDF women members," he said at a press conference where five opposition women MLAs were present.
Achuthanandan alleged that both Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala were silent witness to the attack on women legislators.
LDF had raised the issue of alleged attack on the women MLAs on the day of the incidents itself and had been demanding action against UDF legislators.
The stand of the two that they had not seen the visuals of women MLAs' being "attacked" was not acceptable when the same was being repeatedly aired by various media. "LDF will go ahead with legal measures in this regard," he added.
The complaint lodged by the concerned women MLAs were not even considered by the government, CPI-M veteran alleged.
Blaming Finance Minister K M Mani, he said the incidents happened only because the ruling front insisted that Mani, facing bribery charges in bar scam, himself would present the budget.
LDF women MLAs K K Lathika, Jameela Prakasam, Bijumol, K S Saleekha and Geetha Gopi were present at the press conference.
Showing a video clipping, Jameela explained how the UDF MLAs Sivadasan Nair, Domenic Presentation, M A Waheed, A T George and State Labour Minister Shibu Baby John attacked women legislators.
She also justified her action in biting Sivadasan Nair, saying "I bit him because he attacked me".
The Assembly witnessed unprecedented violence with LDF members going on a rampage while trying to prevent Mani from presenting the budget and damaging the Speaker's podium and chair among others.
Acting on a complaint from the Assembly secretary, police have filed cases against five LDF MLAs in connection with destruction caused during the incidents.
