Members of the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) boycotted Assembly proceedings on Friday in protest against Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan’s decision to deny leave for an adjournment motion on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s observations about them.
P.T. Thomas (Congress) gave notice for the adjournment motion on Mr. Vijayan’s alleged remarks in the Assembly on Thursday that the Opposition has links with militants and K.C. Joseph (Congress) gave a separate letter to Mr. Sreeramakrishnan seeking to expunge the remarks which were ‘undignified and defamed the Opposition.’
Will give ruling on letter: Speaker
Mr. Sreeramakrishnan said the notice could not be allowed as per the rules and precedent, but would give a ruling on Mr. Joseph’s letter.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala accused Mr. Vijayan of raising serious allegations against the Opposition and also the people of Aluva by saying that they encouraged militancy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Vijayan said he would explain what he had said in the Assembly. Opposition members then rushed to Speaker’s podium and raised a din. Mr. Chennthala said the Opposition was boycotting the proceedings in protest against the Speaker’s decision and left the House.
Mr. Vijayan then said the Opposition was raising the issue to mask the troubles rocking the Congress and the UDF.
Mr. Vijayan made a clarification extensively quoting from the Assembly records and said he never accused the people of Aluva of abetting militancy, but one person who attacked the police at Edathala was an accused in two Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act cases and had terrorist links. He described the Opposition stance as undesirable and said the government was committed to protecting secularism.