The Kerala Assembly was disrupted for the second consecutive day on Wednesday with the opposition deciding to boycott minister MM Mani over the latter’s recent remarks.
MM Mani’s comment that the leaders of ‘Penbilai Orumai’ - a collective of women tea plantation workers, were engaged in immoral activities during their protest against employers two years ago, had disrupted the Assembly proceedings on Monday as well.
Opposition leaders interrupted and shouted slogans against Mani while he was replying to a question on Kayamkulam Thermal Power Project during question hour.
The opposition United Democratic Front led by the Congress decided that none of its members will ask questions to Mani, according to reports.
It has been raising the pitch against Mani demanding his resignation.
Former CM Oommen Chandy is visiting Munnar on Wednesday where the ‘Penbilai Orumai’ leaders have been protesting against Mani. The protest has entered its fourth day and the protestors have been on a hunger strike for the last two days.
Meanwhile, the CPI (M) state committee meeting on Tuesday is likely to decide on the disciplinary action against Mani.
The party Secretariat meeting held on Tuesday strongly criticized Mani for his provocative statements which have put the party and the Left Democratic Front in a spot.
Mani has been trying to resist the wave against him saying that he made his speech in rustic ‘local slang’, which was misquoted by the media.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan also has been trying to protect Mani while blaming the media for misinterpreting the minister.