Opposition boycotts Kerala Assembly sitting

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition today boycotted the Assembly after zero hour on Tuesday.

The boycott followed Speaker refusing permission to Mathew T. Thomas and others from the Opposition to move an adjournment motion seeking to discuss the issue of Minister Shibu Baby John making disparaging remarks against Solar Inquiry Commission.

The Speaker said that the House could not discuss matters relating to a judicial commission. If any remarks had been made against the Commission, the Commission itself had powers to take action. The Speaker then moved to the next business in the list (calling attention).

As the Opposition continued to protest, moving into the well of the House; the Speaker briefly adjourned the House. When the House resumed still, the Opposition was still not in a mood to relent. They soon walked out, ending the disturbance.

The Opposition alleged outside the House that the government was trying to undermine the functioning of the Commission. The government should be seeking an interim report from the Commission before extending its term as being requested by the Commission.

The Opposition had begun their protest during the question hour itself, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Excise Minister K. Babu and Electricity Minister.  As the Excise Minister rose to answer a question, the Opposition created a din. The Minister then tabled his answer. The protests continued throughout the question hour. However, the Opposition members returned to their seats to as the Speaker took up the notice seeking to move the adjournment motion.

Though Opposition member Jose Thettayil was to call attention of the Chief Minister to the return of the Plachimada Coca-Cola Victims Relief and Compensation Claims Special Tribunal Bill and necessity of alternate arrangements, the member was not present to raise the issue.