Kerala Assembly session begins on stormy note over solar scam

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly's budget session began on a stormy note on Friday as the LDF raised slogans and held up placards against the Congress-led UDF government, prompting Governor P Sathasivam to ask them to "sit quietly or leave".

As soon as the governor began his customary address at the beginning of the session, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan stood up and said the government was 'neck deep' in corruption.

The veteran CPI(M) leader wanted the governor to intervene in the matter amidst the row in the state over the alleged bar and solar scams.

Reacting to that, the governor said, "You have raised your democratic protest. You are opposing this government. That is enough. You should allow me to do my constitutional duty. I am noting all your objections."

As the governor continued with his address, opposition members were up on their feet, holding up placards and banners seeking the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and other ministers over corruption allegations.

As Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the deputy leader of CPI(M) in the House, stood up, the governor said, "Mr Balakrishnan, this may happen to you also. If you have a right to protest, I am bound by the Constitution to deliver the address... better sit quietly or leave the House.

"I am aware (your) protest is not against me but the government. The entire nation is watching you. People are noting your objections... You have made your point and I have also noted it."

But the protesting LDF members thereafter trooped out of the House. The opposition members raised slogans and held up banners saying, "Don't want tainted ministry's policy."

The 14-day sitting is politically significant as this is the last session of the 13th Kerala Assembly before the state goes to polls later this year.

LDF had met the governor two days ago asking him to not deliver his customary address as the Chandy government was facing various corruption charges.

Solar scam accused Saritha S Nair, deposing before the Justice Sivarajan commission, had alleged that Rs 1.90 crore had been paid to a close aide of the Chief Minister and Rs 40 lakh to Power Minister Aryadan Muhammed for securing favourable decisions for their solar company. Both Chandy and Muhammed have denied the allegations.

Former Finance Minister K M Mani had to resign in the wake of bribery allegations levelled against him by hotelier Biju Ramesh.

Excise Minister K Babu, too, resigned after the vigilance court ordered the registration of an FIR against him the bar case. However, after high court stayed the decision for two months, Babu returned to the Cabinet after the Chief Minister refused to accept the resignation.

The Budget session is expected to conclude on February 25.

Describing the tenure of the UDF government as a "golden phase", the governor listed the achievements of the present Chandy dispensation, including the kick-starting of the Kochi Metro, Light metro and Kannur airport projects.

Over 25,000 tribals were given 'pattayams' (title deeds), Sathasivam said.

Opposition members, including Achuthanandan, who trooped out of the House, held a protest in front of the war memorial at Palayam.

The Left leaders undertook a march to the Assembly demanding the resignation of Chandy and the other ministers who are facing allegations in the solar and bar scams.

Kicking off the march at the memorial, Achuthanandan said the Left parties will continue with their protests until Chandy, Aryadan Muhammed and Excise Minister Babu quit their posts.