Five Opposition MLAs suspended, House adjourns amidst protest

Kerala Assembly today suspended five CPI(M)-led LDF Opposition MLAs till the end of the session for allegedly ransacking the Speaker's podium on the budget day on March 13 when their protest against Finance Minister K M Mani, facing corruption charges, turned violent.

A resolution in this regard, moved by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, was passed by the House amidst strong protests from Opposition benches and the House adjourned till March 23.

The suspended MLAs are E P Jayarajan, V Sivankutty, K Kunjahmed (all CPI-M), K T Jaleel (LDF IND) and K Ajit (CPI).

Moving the resolution, Chandy said "unprecedented" incidents on March 13 had brought disgrace to the state. The LDF MLAs "trespassed" to the Speaker's dais and destroyed mike system, computer and chair and threw away the files.

In a democracy, restraint needs to be shown even during protest and the opposition MLAs crossed the limits, he said, adding, LDF was now trying to blame ruling MLAs for the violence.

Referring to the opposition charge of manhandling women MLAs by ruling front, Chandy said the LDF had not given a complaint in this regard to the Speaker in writing. "This is a matter they have brought now to divert the attention from their actions".

He also made it clear that no action will be taken against UDF MLAs who have "not done anything wrong."

In the present peculiar circumstances, the discussion on budget should be cut short and limited to a day, Chandy said and wanted Speaker N Sakthan to complete the proceedings of passing of the budget on March 23, when the House will meet next.