Published Feb 23, 2026 | 12:02 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 23, 2026 | 12:02 PM
Opposition MLAs sat in the Well, raising slogans demanding Minister Vasavan's resignation. (Niyamasabha TV)
Synopsis: Opposition MLAs trooped into the Well demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister VN Vasavan over the arrest of Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in the Sabarimala gold theft case.
The Budget session of the Kerala Assembly resumed on Monday, 23 February, with uproarious scenes as the Opposition UDF persisted with its demand for the resignation of the Devaswom Minister over the Sabarimala gold theft issue.
The Opposition also demanded that the Chief Minister’s Office stop interfering in the probe being carried out by a Special Investigation Team.
Soon after the Question Hour began at 9 am, Opposition MLAs raised slogans and trooped into the Well demanding the resignation of Minister VN Vasavan.
Tripunithura MLA K Babu, who spoke in the absence of the Opposition leader, said two MLAs were holding a satyagraha outside the House demanding the minister’s resignation. The protest inside the House, he said, was in solidarity with the MLAs.
“We have been demanding the resignation of the Devaswom Minister and that the Office of the Chief Minister should stop intervening in the investigation,” he said.
Law Minister P Rajeeve intervened, saying the MLA’s statement was in defiance of the High Court.
The minister said the government had received no report about that probe, which was submitted to the High Court in a sealed cover. He added that the government had no role in arraigning anyone, including the Tantri (chief priest), as an accused.
Babu said the Tantri was arrested without an iota of evidence.
The Speaker continued with the Question Hour amidst the chaos, but adjourned the House as pandemonium continued.
The Congress has been maintaining that Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru is ‘trapped’ in the gold theft case, whereas the CPI(M) insisted that he figured on the list of big thieves.
Rajeevaru, who was granted bail days after his arrest, said that he was being targeted for opposing the entry of women into the Sabarimala shrine in 2018.
