Thiruvananthapuram, March 4 (NationPress) As the demonstration by over 26,000 Asha Workers progressed into its 23rd day, the Kerala Assembly experienced intense confrontations between the opposition and treasury benches on Tuesday, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House after addressing the day's agenda.

First-time legislator Rahul Mamkoothathil requested an adjournment motion concerning the struggles of the Asha workers, who have been protesting outside the State Secretariat, while the Pinarayi Vijayan government remains unresponsive.

“The Left Democratic Front's election manifesto in 2021 pledged that Asha workers would receive Rs 700. However, that promise remains unfulfilled. Instead, there were arrears that have just been settled. Currently, they are earning merely Rs 232 daily. They are protesting for what was guaranteed in the Left manifesto,” stated Mamkoothathil.

“Since the protests commenced, they have faced continuous mistreatment from CPI(M) leaders. Their demonstrations are being described with disrespectful language. Health Minister Veena George has been impolite, telling the protesters to visit her office when they approached her residence for a discussion. You (George) will not hold that position for long. While the CITU (the trade union of CPI(M)) is advocating for better wages for Asha Workers in other states, here they are verbally assaulting the vulnerable workers,” he added.

In response, journalist-turned-Minister George asserted that Mamkoothathil is acting like the leaders of SUCI, who are leading the current Asha workers' protest.

“It was the Left government that increased the honorarium for Asha Workers. It’s false that I declined to meet the Asha Workers. In fact, I met with them on February 15 to discuss their demands. I have taken legal action against the unfounded claims that I refused to meet the protesters. There is no doubt that a raise in the honorarium for Asha workers is necessary,” Minister George explained.

After Speaker A.N. Shamsheer denied the request for an adjournment motion, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan emphasized that the workers are merely seeking to fulfill what CM Vijayan promised in the party's election manifesto.

“A decade ago in this same House, prominent CPI(M) legislator and CITU leader Elamaram Kareem demanded an increase in the honorarium to Rs 10,000, and now that same Kareem is verbally attacking the protesters. In Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh, Asha Workers receive Rs 10,000, and the Chief Minister of Karnataka recently raised it to Rs 10,000 and promised more,” said Satheesan. He urged that the Vijayan government should awaken from its deep slumber.

As Satheesan continued to criticize CM Vijayan, the Speaker intervened, instructing him to conclude his remarks. If he did not comply, his microphone would be turned off after his allotted time, and it was enforced.

The entire opposition then erupted in protest against the Speaker, and as the uproar escalated, he swiftly completed the day's agenda and adjourned the House. Later, outside the Assembly, Satheesan remarked that CM Vijayan should abandon his rigid stance and meet with the protesters to find a resolution.

“This Speaker is acting like a back-bench legislator in the treasury benches and is merely a puppet for the government. He has stated he would turn off the microphones when the time is up; if that is the case, we will boycott the proceedings when the time ends for the Minister and Chief Minister as well. They must also adhere to the schedule,” Satheesan added.

State BJP President K. Surendran claimed that the Centre is doing everything possible, while the Vijayan government is ineffective and merely blaming the Centre.

“The funds come from the Centre, and just as the Vijayan government has misrepresented issues regarding MGNREGA, they are doing the same with Asha workers. The state unit of the BJP will support the protesters,” Surendran stated.

The Asha workers are advocating for an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, along with retirement benefits and the settlement of overdue payments.