MLAs protesting over the Sabarimala temple gold plating controversy, in the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Credit: PTI Photo
Thiruvananthapuram: Three Congress MLAs in Kerala were suspended from the state assembly for the ongoing session on charges of attacking the watch and ward staff during a protest over the missing gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
Roji M John, M Vincent, and Saneesh Kumar Joseph were suspended after the House on Thursday unanimously passed a motion moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh, accusing them of unruly behaviour and injuring the chief marshal during the ruckus.
The Assembly has been disrupted for the fourth consecutive day over the missing gold controversy.
As proceedings began on Thursday, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan announced that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would not cooperate in the House unless Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan resigned.
When Opposition members trooped to the well of the House, shouting slogans and waving banners, Speaker A N Shamseer instructed the watch and ward to seize the banners. A scuffle ensued, leading to chaos and a brief adjournment.
Later, the Speaker informed the House that the chief marshal had been injured when Opposition MLAs allegedly tried to storm the Speaker’s dais. Rajesh then moved a motion to suspend the three MLAs, which was passed unanimously.
Opposition members denied the allegations of assault and boycotted the proceedings for the rest of the day.
The Assembly session, which was earlier scheduled till Friday, was adjourned sine die on Thursday.