The Congress-led UDF opposition boycotted Governor Arif Mohammad Khan's policy address in the Kerala Assembly on the first day of the budget session on Thursday.
Opposition legislators raised slogans against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Speaker as Khan arrived to deliver his customary address. The opposition boycotted the address and demanded the resignation of Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan who was facing allegations in connection with the dollar smuggling case.
Despite sloganeering, the Governor began his speech detailing the achievements and performances of the Left government in its over four and half years' tenure.
Thiruvananthapuram: Boycotting Kerala Governor's address Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) stages protest in front of Kerala Assembly demanding that Left government led by Pinarayi Vijayan should step down pic.twitter.com/nHHqetMprg
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2021
As the sloganeering continued, Khan asked the opposition members to allow him to fulfil his constitutional duty, but his plea fell on deaf ears. "I am doing my constitutional duty...it is expected that no obstruction will be created while the Governor is performing constitutional duties. You have already raised enough slogans... Don't interrupt me," the Governor told the opposition.
Though Opposition Leader Ramesh stood up and tried to speak, the Governor did not yield to his demand.
The protesting opposition legislators later walked out of the Assembly hall and staged a sit-in at its portal, raising slogans and displaying banners and posters.
Meanwhile, the Governor, who continued his speech, said the LDF government has been facing challenges ever since the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Detailing various pro-people measures taken by the Vijayan government, the Governor said the state started community kitchens for the needy to ensure that none went hungry during the lockdown, ensured that treatment for Covid- 19 is being given free, and kits are being distributed to all ration card holders.
Kerala was also the first state to announce a pandemic relief package of Rs 20,000 crore. Kerala also declared floor price of 16 vegetables produced in the state, he said.
Almost 9 per cent of the state's population is living abroad and with nearly six lakh immigrants returning due to the impact of COVID19, it will hamper the flow of remittances, causing a severe impact on the state's economy, he said.