Opposition steps up stir against Health Minister K K Shylaja

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition created noisy scenes in the Assembly for the second  day on Tuesday demanding the resignation of Health Minister K. K. Shylaja in view of the adverse High Court remarks against her pertaining to the appointment of a member of Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.   Five UDF MLAs, who began an indefinite  sit-in before the Assembly, continued it  on Tuesday. They are   Eldhose P. Kunnappillil, Roji M. John and V. P. Sajeendran of the Congress and N. Samsudheen and T. V.  Ibrahim of the IUML.    

The Opposition  shouted slogans against the minister raising banners and placards in  the Assembly. They also boycotted her by refusing to ask any questions to her during question-hour. Later, during zero-hour,  Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan invited Mr V.D. Satheesan, Congress,  to present an adjournment  motion on the self-financing medical college admission muddle.  He had given a notice for it earlier. However, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala insisted that  Chief Minister  Pinarayi Vijayan and not the health minister should reply to it.

But the speaker declined the request after Law Minister A.K. Balan raised objections. The speaker ruled that as per norms, the minister of the department concerned should reply to an adjournment notice. If required only,  the chief minister should reply after the minister's answer. The Opposition trooped to the well shouting slogans demanding Ms Shylaja’s resignation. The speaker asked her  to reply to the adjournment notice. As some Opposition members tried to block the speaker’s  view by raising a banner in front of his dais, the speaker  warned them.  Subsequently, the Opposition Leader made a call for boycotting the House and the MLAs marched out shouting slogans.

 The remaining proceedings of the House went-off smoothly in the absence of UDF members. Meanwhile, many leaders  and senior MLAs from other parties, including K.M. Mani, visited the striking  MLAs on Tuesday.  The current  Assembly session is scheduled to end on Thursday and hence the UDF may take the stir outside the House  unless a truce is reached before the session ends.