Kerala Assembly adjourned sine die amid Opposition protest over ‘arrogant’ government

Speaker Shamseer announced the culmination of the 21-day-long eighth session of the 15th Kerala Assembly after CM tabled a resolution.

ByPTI

Published Mar 21, 2023 | 12:49 PMUpdatedMar 21, 2023 | 12:49 PM

Kerala Assembly adjourned

Amid the Congress-led UDF’s relentless agitation against the “arrogant” approach of the LDF government over a number of demands put forth by it, the Kerala Assembly was on Tuesday, 21 March, adjourned sine die, much ahead of its original schedule of 30 March.

Speaker AN Shamseer announced the culmination of the 21-day-long eighth session of the 15th Kerala Assembly after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan tabled a resolution in the Assembly in this regard.

The decision was taken after five UDF MLAs launched an indefinite “satyagraha” in the well of the House against the CPI(M)-led government for ignoring various Opposition demands.

The Assembly has been witnessing Opposition protests since last week against the “restrictions” on moving adjournment motions to discuss certain issues in the House.

Also read: Opposition disrupts Kerala Assembly: House adjourned temporarily

Opposition MLAs announced satyagraha

When the House assembled in the morning, Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan announced that five members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) — Anwar Sadath, Kurukkoli Moideen, AKM Ashraf, TJ Vinod and Uma Thomas — would stage an indefinite satyagraha in the well of the House against the government, accusing it of not taking steps to ensure the proper functioning of the House.

Satheesan alleged that the government’s “arrogant” approach was the reason for the Opposition protest.

The government, however, claimed that the Opposition protest was against the rules of the House proceedings.

Shamseer criticised the Opposition protest and said the post of Speaker was a respectable one and the protests against it, including the burning of effigies, were “unacceptable”.

The Opposition also criticised the government for registering “false non-bailable cases” against several opposition MLAs, including two women, in connection with an unprecedented organised in front of the Speaker’s office in the Assembly complex last week.

Also read: Assembly adjourned after Opposition protest over cases against MLAs

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