'PM's poll fate awaits Pinarayi'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the sit-in by three UDF MLAs on Sabarimala issue entered the 10th day on Wednesday, the opposition continued to disrupt assembly and the day's session was cut short as proceedings were completed within an hour.

Opposition members, who trouped into the well of the House disrupting proceedings during question hour, sought the speaker's intervention to put an end to the sit-in by UDF MLAs. The speaker - who was forced to cancel question hour, submissions and calling attention motions - adjourned the house after overseeing quick legislative business.

Opposition leaders, later, alleged that government was deliberately extending prohibitory orders at Sabarimala as they were demanding its withdrawal. "The chief minister is not even ready to hold discussions with protesting MLAs, which shows his arrogance. Narendra Modi's fate (BJP's defeat in state elections) awaits Pinarayi Vijayan," said opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala.

He added that UDF will intensify its agitation outside the assembly and that a detailed programme will be chalked out on Thursday at a meeting after the assembly session. He alleged that government wanted the sessions to be disrupted as it feared that more corruption allegations will be raised.

Chennithala said that the election results in five states should be a lesson for everyone, including the state government. "People are watching how state government is denying the opposition its rights. People want a platform of secular and democratic forces. This (the elections in five states) was just a semi-final and there will be an enhanced movement of secular-democratic forces in 2019 Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Other UDF leaders, including MK Muneer and KM Mani, also condemned the 'neglectful' and 'arrogant' attitude of the chief minister and the government towards the opposition's demand to lift the existing restrictions at Sabarimala.