THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Sabarimala ritual protection bill drafted by UDF is an attempt to ‘fool people’, according to CPM. Speaking to reporters in the state capital, the party’s acting state secretary, A Vijayaraghavan, said the move is part of UDF’s continued attempts at fooling voters. “First, UDF will not come to power. Second, a state government cannot draft legislation on a topic which is under the consideration of the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court,” he said. He said LDF will take a decision on the issue by consulting all concerned once SC issues its verdict.
Vijayaraghavan recalled the ‘creamy layer’ legislation framed by A K Antony in 1995. “It didn’t stand the scrutiny of law. Governments need to abide by court directives,” he said.
After CPM’s state committee meeting on Thursday, Vijayaraghavan had said LDF won’t debate the Sabarimala issue during the election campaign as the matter is sub judice.
Addressing reporters in Alappuzha on Saturday, finance minister T M Thomas Isaac also placed the onus on the Supreme Court. “Once the court announces its verdict, we will discuss it with the people. The Congress has picked up the issue as it has nothing else to do or talk about,” Isaac told a news conference.
Replying to questions, he said no illegal appointments have been made in the Coir Corporation. Certain employees, who had been working for 10-20 years, were regularized to address the staff crunch and based on human considerations. “UDF also made such appointments during its tenure,” Isaac said.