Congress stalls Kerala assembly over political violence

Congress MLAs disrupted the proceedings of the Kerala Assembly on Monday over rising political violence in the state involving the ruling CPI-M as well as the BJP and RSS.

The Speaker adjourned the opening day of the session soon after Question Hour as Congress members reached the House with banners to highlight the ongoing violent clashes in the state.

Senior Congress member K. Muraleedharan sought leave for an adjournment motion to discuss how the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were destroying peace and tranquillity in the state.

Muraleedharan said there appeared to be some sort of a pact between the two parties. He said the political violence had helped the BJP to increase its profile.

"The BJP state unit, which is struggling to save its face in the wake of a scam, got a new lease of life when CPI-M workers ransacked their office and then killed an RSS worker," he said. "And Governor (P. Sathasivam) finally summoned Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan)."

Vijayan said canards were being spread about the situation in Kerala.

"Violence has taken place in our state in the past also but this time lies are being spread and this is being done with a purpose," he said.

"What must be noted is that the police have acted swiftly. They have taken into custody all the perpetrators involved in the attacks -- both at the state BJP office and those behind the killing of the RSS worker," he said.

The Chief Minister also presented a few cases from the rest of the country where Muslims have been killed by what he said were "communal forces".

Hitting back, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said it was strange to hear Vijayan mention the killings of Muslims while feigning ignorance about killings in Kerala by his own party.

"Did you speak a word after Rahul Gandhi was attacked in Gujarat? You should see everything in totality and that you are not able to do is because you behave like a CPI-M leader only -- when you should have risen to the level of a statesman," the Congress leader said.

"What's happening in Kerala is a stage-managed event launched by the BJP and the CPI-M and we have strongly opposed the manner in which the Governor summoned you.

"In West Bengal, the Chief Minister refused to meet the Governor while you met the Governor. It was a shame for Kerala to see you sitting before the Governor. You and your government have been a miserable failure on all fronts," said Chennithala amidst thumping of desks.

When Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan refused to take up the issue for debate, the opposition was up on its feet and shouted slogans.

The Speaker rushed through the listed business for the day and adjourned the House for the day.