Kerala Assembly sees Congress, CPI(M) trade barbs over rising fuel prices and taxes

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday witnessed sparring between the ruling Congress and opposition CPI(M) reminding each other of earlier stands on reducing tax on fuel.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government rejected opposition CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front's (LDF) demand for lowering the tax on fuel in view of the price hike by citing the stand taken by the LDF while in power.

Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that former finance minister and CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac had even stated that it would be a blunder to reduce tax on fuels.

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan recollected that the Chief Minister was demanding a cut in taxes on fuel while he was the opposition leader. Hence the state is eager to see if he would take such a stand now.

CPI(M) gave notice for an adjournment motion stressing the need to lower tax on fuels in order to reduce the burden caused to the people.

As the government refused to make any tax cuts, the opposition walked out of the house in protest.

Dramatic scene over BJP MLA defending center

The house witnessed dramatic scenes during the zero-hour over the BJP trying to defend the BJP government at the centre.

BJP legislative party leader B B Gopakumar sought permission to speak over the adjournment motion.

Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan allowed him, but pointed out that since BJP MLAs did not sign on the adjournment motion notice of LDF, they are not entitled to speak on that occasion.

Gopakumar tried to defend the BJP government by stating that the centre was not denying any funds due to the state. He also rejected allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was succumbing to pressure from other nations.

CPI(M) MLAs, who had staged a walk out by then, rushed back to the house and raised objections over the BJP MLA being allowed to speak.

Ruling front MLAs also raised objections on allowing the BJP MLA to speak as part of the adjournment motion.