Members of the Opposition UDF boycotted the Assembly on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Health and Social Justice Minister K.K. Shylaja who, they said, drew adverse remarks from the court for making appointments to the Kerala State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights in violation of norms.
K.C. Joseph, who gave notice for an adjournment motion, said never before had a court continuously passed adverse remarks about a Minister in the State. He also referred to the resignation of former Congress Minister K.P. Viswanathan once the court passed a remark about him.
Link to Lavalin
He accused the Minister of extending the time for appointment to the commission to ensure an opportunity for T.B. Suresh, who, he alleged, was accused in criminal cases. Referring to the Lavlin case judgement, Mr. Joseph said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had lauded the judiciary for its verdict in the case. If he had the same stance with regard to the court’s comments against Ms. Shylaja, she should be told to step down.
Mr. Vijayan said UDF too had extended time for submitting applications for appointments to the commission. Mr. Suresh had functioned as secretary to the district child welfare council and cases were registered against him for participating in political agitations.
Based on the government explanation, Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan denied notice for the motion and the Opposition announced its decision to walk out.