‘Ordinance Raj’ making Kerala Assembly a scarecrow: UDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Opposition UDF has turned against the Pinarayi Government for pursuing an ‘Ordinance Raj’ and trying to make the Assembly a scarecrow while infringing the right of  legislators for discussions on crucial issues.  

‘’There are 10 ordinances in vogue now, including the four mooted at the last Cabinet meet. More are in the pipeline. The Pinarayi Government is framing laws and rules by keeping the Assembly in the dark. The ordinance on regularising illegal constructions in the state, like many other ordinances issued, will have lot of ramifications. It will lead to largescale corruption,’’ criticised Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. Speaking to reporters in the course of  the last day of  ‘Padayorukkam’ here, along with 10 permanent jatha members in the month-long campaign, Ramesh said the state is witnessing a procession of ordinances.’’

Earlier, it was the Left which was protesting loud against issuance of ordinances. Why is the  Assembly not being convened now for passing Bills instead of issuing and re-issuing ordinances,?’’ he asked. ‘’Didn’t the move to leave Wakf  Board appointments to the PSC and ordinance pertaining to the Kerala Technical University should be discussed in the Assembly? The Constitution envisages issuing of ordinances only when there is any immediacy,’’ the Opposition leader stressed.

Attacking the LDF, he said it may not be a matter of concern for the public that the schism within the ruling front is growing. ‘’But when the rift between the CPM and the CPI has reached a boiling point affecting the very functioning of the government, people are indeed concerned.

Price rise of essential commodities is continuing unabated and ration supplies have not become regular even now. There is no departmental action. The Chief Minister and the Home Department controlled by him are unable to ensure protection to the life and properties of people. In the capital district, political violence is mounting with the CPM on one side and the BJP as well as SDPI workers countering on the other side. The state has even faced the ignominy of the CPM and BJP haggling over the right of a corpse recently, after a political killing at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur,’’ he said.

‘’Twenty political killings have been reported in the state in the 18 months of  LDF rule. Burglary and looting have become common across the state,’’ Chennithala pointed out. In many cases when the offering chests of temples and churches are broken by thieves, the police keep saying that it was the result of lightning, he said.