The treasury benches will have challenging days ahead as the Assembly enters the debating phase of the ongoing session with discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor for his address on Monday.
The Opposition is already geared up to take on the government inside and outside the House over corruption and issues connected to admissions and fees in self-financing professional colleges. The police had to use force to disperse agitators outside the Assembly on Friday while the Opposition members used placards to register their protest inside the Assembly. The pattern will continue and there will be no honeymoon for the government.
While the Opposition points fingers at tainted Ministers, the ruling front would be highlighting the charges against Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan's son and the vigilance inquiries being ordered by the present government into alleged corruption during the Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule.
The treasury benches would maintain that problems in the education sector are the legacy of the previous government. However, it would be difficult to shield criticism about its Ministers seeking admissions of their wards in self-financing colleges apparently in an irregular manner though they have since withdrawn their children from the institutions. On the other hand, the issue of admissions to Pariyaram Medical College is a double-edged sword, and the United Democratic Front (UDF) may have an edge over there.
There would also be discussions on Munnar encroachments, lotteries, and SmartCity project and two fronts may emerge even during the debate. The ruling front's refrain will be that it was going fast with developmental projects while the previous government failed to push forward several projects such as the Vizhinjam Port and the Metro Rail projects.
The ruling front will have to face another test of strength on June 28, the date on which the election of the Deputy Speaker is scheduled to take place. Having a slender majority in the House, the front will have to be vigilant that every one of its votes is cast in its favour. Chief Whip P.C. George will have a tough time ensuring attendance during the debates, as there would be voting in the House almost every day.
After discussions on Motion of Thanks and a day's government business to consider legislation, the House will have a recess from July 1 to 7. It will meet again on July 8 for the presentation of the revised budget for the year. Finance Minister K.M. Mani has already said that finances of the State had been left in a bad shape by the previous government and would be presenting a White Paper on this before the House.
However, the former Finance Minister, T.M. Thomas Isaac, is not going to let that go unchallenged. He had been claiming notable improvements in the financial position after the LDF government assumed office. His budgets had been lauded by many, even while others picked holes.
The session would conclude on July 20 after general discussion on the revised budget, consideration of vote on account, and enactment of a few Bills.
