Due to recent controversies rocking Kerala, the 12th Legislative Assembly session is expected to be marred by political tension.
Published Oct 03, 2024 | 7:59 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 2:23 PM
ADGP Ajith Kumar, Kerala CM and PV Anwar
Ahead of the 12th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly – set to begin on Friday, 3 October – Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan finds himself grappling with a series of controversies expected to dominate the political discourse in the coming days.
From alleged conspiracy to disrupt the famed Thrissur Pooram to accusations against senior police officer ADGP MR Ajithkumar, CM’s political secretary P Sasi among others, the state government is likely to face intense scrutiny from an emboldened Opposition.
The session, primarily intended for legislative business, has already taken a politically charged tone, with the Opposition gearing up to corner the government on multiple fronts.
Adding to the tension is independent MLA PV Anvar, a former ally of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), whose recent distancing from the CPI(M) may add to the government’s troubles.
One of the most significant challenges awaiting the government in this session is the ongoing controversy over ADGP MR Ajithkumar, for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy with RSS leaders.
The issue is expected to take centre stage at the Kerala Assembly, particularly as Opposition Leader VD Satheesan has formally complained to Speaker AN Shamseer about 49 starred questions submitted by Opposition members being converted into unstarred questions by the Assembly Secretariat.
These questions, which include matters related to the ADGP-RSS meeting and the Thrissur Pooram conspiracy, were set to be addressed by CM Vijayan on 7 October.
By converting them into unstarred questions, which only require written responses rather than direct answers on the Assembly floor, the Opposition has accused the Secretariat of undermining Clause 36 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly,which deal with conditions of admissibility of questions.
Satheesan’s letter to the Speaker called for immediate action against the officers responsible for this alleged breach of protocol and demanded the reinstatement of the questions as starred due to their importance.
“The Opposition has every right to ask questions that hold the government accountable,” Satheesan said, adding that the Secretariat’s actions represent a violation of democratic norms. In response, Speaker Shamseer has stated that the situation will be examined, while also emphasising that not all questions can be raised on the floor.
Adding further complexity to the political landscape is the shifting stance of Nilambur MLA PV Anvar. Once a reliable ally of the CPI(M) in the Assembly, Anvar has recently severed ties with the party.
As a result, CPI(M) parliamentary party secretary TP Ramakrishnan submitted a letter on Thursday, 3 October to the Speaker, demanding that Anvar be moved from the block allotted to CPI(M) legislators. This move will not only physically separate Anvar from his former allies but could also signal his growing estrangement from the LDF.
While it remains to be seen what role Anvar will play in the Assembly, his actions are being closely watched by both the government and the Opposition. Given his potential to sway votes or introduce dissension, Anvar could become a key figure during this session.
Despite the heavy political controversies rocking Kerala, the original intention of the 12th session of the Assembly is to focus primarily on legislative business.
After an adjournment on Friday, 4 October to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the landslides in Wayanad and Kozhikode, the Assembly will meet for eight more days, with six days reserved for government business and two for non-official matters.
Important bills up for consideration:
Additionally, a bill to replace the Kerala Taxation Rules (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, is also on the agenda.
The Business Advisory Committee that will convene on Friday will finalise the schedule for these bills’ consideration.
The Opposition, led by the Congress party, has made it clear that they intend to use this session to push the government into a corner.
With enough “ammunition” from various controversies, the Opposition is poised to aggressively challenge the government on issues ranging from the ADGP-RSS controversy to CM Vijayan’s handling of the Malappuram remarks.
The controversial “Kafir” screenshots, the Thrissur Pooram disruption, and allegations against P Sasi are also likely to be central talking points.
While the session’s primary aim is to pass critical legislation, it is the political theater that is likely to capture public attention.
As the 12th session unfolds, all eyes will be on how the government navigates these turbulent waters and whether the Opposition can capitalise on the controversies to weaken the ruling dispensation’s political standing.
(Edited by Neena)
