LDF stalls House proceedings

Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurating adharna by LDF supporters in front of the Assembly, demanding the resignationof Finance Minister K.M. Mani. Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) disrupted the Assembly proceedings on Monday demanding the ouster of Finance Minister, K. M. Mani from the Cabinet over the bar licence bribery case.

As soon as the Deputy Speaker, N. Shaktan arrived in the House at 8.30 a.m. to commence proceedings, the LDF legislators led by V. Sivankutty of CPI(M) raised slogans demanding the resignation of Mr. Mani. The Opposition legislators displayed placards and banners in support of their demand.

The Deputy Speaker called the Forest Minster, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan to reply to the listed questions. But, the Minister was not able to go ahead as the slogan shouting continued. The Deputy Speaker’s request to remain calm and to cooperate with him during the Question Hour fell in deaf ears.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan urged the Chair to suspend the Question Hour and to take up the notice for an adjournment motion given by them on the issue.

Mr. Shaktan said he respects the privileges of the legislators and at the same time he has to conduct business for the government. The adjournment notice can be taken up after the question hour, he said.

Around 8.35 a.m, Mr. Mani arrived and he was greeted with slogans by the Opposition and thumping of desks by the treasury bench. Din prevailed and the Deputy Speaker announced that he was suspending the Question Hour and Zero Hour. He called the Chief Minister,Oommen Chandy, Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala and Mr. Mani to table the reports.

Enraged over this, legislators led by Mr. Sivankutty rushed to the well shouting slogans “arrest Mani” and displayed a black banner on the Speaker’s podium demanding the resignation of Mr. Mani.

Amidst the protest by the LDF legislators intensified, the Deputy Speaker rushed through the business listed for the day. The House passed the Kerala Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill 2014 reported by the Subject Committee and moved by Mr. Mani.

Following this, the LDF legislators squatted on the well raising slogans. The Kerala Municipality (Second Amendment) Bill 2014 moved by Minister for Urban Affairs, Manjalamkuzhi Ali was also passed without any discussion before adjourning at 8.55 a.m.