The Kerala Assembly witnessed unprecedented violence on Friday injuring at least nine MLAs and many security personnel even as Finance Minister K M Mani read out the state budget.
Opposition MLAs clashed with security personnel and threw mikes to stop finance minister KM Mani from presenting the state budget.
MLAs belonging to the CPI-M led Left Democratic Front climbed on top of tables, toppled chairs and and tried to break the security cordon to get to Mani, who is facing allegations in a bar bribery scam.
Some of the MLAs reached the Speaker’s dais after breaking through the security cordon and threw his chair into the well of the house.
CPI-M MLA Sivankutty fainted inside the assembly during the ruckus, and was revived by his colleagues. Several personnel of the secretariat watch and ward too sustained minor injuries.
Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December last year in connection with the allegations that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.
The clashes happened after overnight drama when Mani and some of his colleagues stayed inside the Assembly on Thursday night to thwart the opposition’s attempt to prevent him from delivering his speech.
The CPI(M)-led LDF members also stayed inside the assembly overnight as part of their stir.
Outside of the Assembly, police used water cannons and lathis to disperse thousands of LDF workers who had laid siege to the building in a bid to prevent Mani from presenting his budget.
Later while talking to the media the minister said he was happy he performed his constitutional obligation without much hindrance. “The CPI-M and BJP wanted create many martyrs. But their ploy fell flat,†he said adding that his only regret was he couldn’t go to church before presenting the budget.
However CPI-M leader Pinarayi Vijayan claimed that opposition stir was a runaway hit. “A budget presented without the consent and presence of the Speaker is not valid,†he said.
At a press conference Congress member K Sivadasan Nair took out his shirt to show bite marks he received and a CPI (M) legislator alleged that she was partially disrobed in the melee.
“It was a black day for the state. It is a shame the house turned a battleground. It is high time for the angry members to introspect,†said a visibly upset Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Speaker N Sakthan said he would take action against the erring members who destroyed his chamber.
