The Kerala Assembly witnessed a stormy session on the fourth consecutive day, and was forced to abruptly stop the business of the day within 21 minutes. The Opposition continued protesting over Sabarimala, alleging that the government had failed to arrange facilities for pilgrims. However, the Opposition then disrupted the House seeking permission for adjournment motion against Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel.
There was heated argument between the Opposition and ruling front MLAs after the former put up banners hindering the vision of the Speaker. The Speaker then suspended the Question Hour in 18 minutes, and also suspended Submission and Calling Attention.
When the session began, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala declared that three UDF MLAs will fast at the Assembly entrance over the lack of facilities in Sabarimala and demanding the lifting of prohibitory orders near the temple. The MLAS who are fasting are VS Sivakumar, N Jayaraj and Parakkal Abdulla.
He also said that the Opposition will cooperate with the Assembly proceedings. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan then alleged that RSS and the UDF are conniving together. However, Chennithala countered this saying that it the LDF government that is conniving with the RSS.
Disrupting proceedings, the Opposition then went to the well off the House to protest against the CM’s statement. The Speaker adjourned the House for the day as the Opposition protests continued.
In a press meet later, Chennithala alleged that the CM need not to take a class for the Opposition MLAs on how to behave in the Assembly. “There is no need for the CM to do that, he can give that for the MLAs of his party. The CM is trying not to bring the issue of appointment of KT Jaleel’s kin in Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation for discussion in the Assembly,” he alleged.
On November 12, KT Jaleel’s kin KT Adeeb quit the post of General Manager of the Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC) following allegations against the minister for appointing his kin. This after the State Higher Education Minster KT Jaleel was accused of nepotism by THE IUML over the appointment of his cousin KT Adeeb as the general manager of KSMDFC.
While Jaleel had denied the allegations stating that the appointment was made following all the rules laid out by the government, Adeeb went on to resign when the IUML threatened to challenge his appointment at the High Court. At the time of his resignation, Adeeb had said that the nepotism allegations had “hurt his dignity”.