THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:: For the second consecutive session, the Kerala Assembly session today, March 17, ended in nine minutes, less than the previous day's 15 minute-duration due to the protest by the Congress-led opposition.
After its representatives, including two women MLAs, were physically assaulted by Watch and Ward employees on Wednesday during a demonstration outside the office of Speaker A.N. Shamseer, the opposition has gone on the offensive in the House.
The Kerala Police have filed proceedings against seven of the opposition legislators, led by the Congress, after receiving complaints from the Watch and Ward employees and lawmakers on the treasury bench. Very serious non-bailable offences are among the charges. But, when the opposition lawmakers went to the police to report the Watch and Ward and treasury bench lawmakers who had attacked them, they were all charged with non-bailable offences. When the session commenced on Friday, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan began to speak about how the Wednesday attack victims have now been accused.
But the Speaker stepped in, turned off the microphone, and signalled the start of the Question Period.
All of the opposition legislators rose to their feet quickly. The treasury benches also became active, and Shamseer quickly completed the listed business and adjourned the House in just nine minutes after perceiving that it could be difficult to move the proceedings through. He also reminded the House that the next sitting will be on Monday.
During the meeting, Satheesan told the media that they would never again tolerate the dictatorial management style of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "Vijayan says that by remaining silent, he can carry on in this manner. We won't fall for his arm-twisting tricks inside and outside the Assembly.
"Early on Thursday morning, complaints against our lawmakers were filed, and a leaders' meeting was convened a short time later to talk about the House impasse. During that discussion, we learned that our legislators had been charged with non-bailable offences, as opposed to the simple offences listed in our complaint.
"We will now hold protests outside the House also until and unless our issues are addressed, we will not cooperate," said Satheesan.
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