NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
The Communist Party of India--Marxist led Left Democratic Front opposition on Tuesday brought the post-Zero Hour proceedings in the Kerala assembly to a halt, protesting the Kumarakom boat tragedy and the mishandling of tribal funds, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House hours ahead of the day's schedule.
A CPI-M MLA, M V Jayarajan, was allegedly hurt in the scuffle with the Watch and Ward staff, while trying to climb the Speaker's podium with several of his colleagues.
The trouble started after Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman refused permission to the Communist Party of India leader K P Rajendran to make a statement before a walk-out over the Kumarakom boat tragedy, leading to an hour-long adjournment.
When the house re-assembled, the opposition, after a brief lull, raised the issue of alleged irregularities in the tribal funds utilisation, reiterating its demand for a judicial probe and resignation of the Minister for Welfare of Backward Classes and Scheduled Communities Dr M A Kuttappan.
With the government rejecting the demand, irate opposition members charged into the well and started shouting slogans.
As the protest continued, the Speaker asked the ministers to rush through the rest of the business before adjourning the House for the day.
Amid the commotion, the house passed supplementary demands for grants.
Tell us what you think of this report
