Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 (NationPress) The Kerala Assembly descended into disarray on Tuesday as tensions erupted between the ruling coalition and the opposition regarding claims that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold smuggling case was being intentionally obstructed. This uproar culminated in Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan escorting the entire opposition out of the assembly for the day.

Prolonged demonstrations by the opposition resulted in multiple adjournments, transforming the House into a chaotic scene filled with shouting, physical confrontations, and unprecedented disorder.

The turmoil ignited when opposition members chose to boycott the Question Hour, storming into the well of the House while brandishing placards and banners accusing the government of thwarting the investigation.

As protests intensified, a faction of opposition MLAs led by Anvar Sadath attempted to surge towards the Speaker’s dais and even tried entering the Speaker’s chamber.

Watch and Ward personnel intervened, resulting in pushing and shoving within the House.

Amid the escalating chaos, Speaker A.N. Shamseer stood up and exited, necessitating a temporary suspension of proceedings.

LoP V.D. Satheesan charged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the gold smuggling case had reached an impasse due to meddling from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office.

He accused the police of facilitating default bail for all prominent suspects and claimed that the primary accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, would soon be free.

According to Satheesan, undue pressure from the Chief Minister’s Office had influenced the investigation's trajectory.

Declaring the opposition could not engage with Assembly operations under such conditions, he proclaimed an escalation of protests both inside and outside the Assembly.

As opposition MLAs persisted with their demonstration in the well, Speaker Shamseer cautioned that the banners must be lowered or face forcible removal.

The ruling coalition reacted vehemently. Minister M.B. Rajesh dismissed the protest, alleging that the opposition was “lacking issues” and did not even possess a formal adjournment motion.

He accused the opposition of disrespecting democratic institutions and ridiculed them for expressing frustration in the Assembly following losses in the High Court regarding various cases, including Sprinklr.

Members of the ruling coalition moved closer to the well of the House, chanting slogans against the opposition, further escalating tensions.

Despite the House reconvening later that morning, the uproar persisted, necessitating yet another adjournment.

This fierce exchange of words and physical struggles highlighted the deepening political divides, with the Sabarimala gold smuggling case becoming a flashpoint that paralyzed the Assembly and set a confrontational tone for the session ahead.