Kerala Assembly to train 71 new MLAs on parliamentary practices on June 17
Synopsis
Faced with 71 first-time MLAs and a rocky opening day, the Kerala Assembly is hitting pause for a procedural reset. On 17 June, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will put new legislators through a structured class on House rules — with CM V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the room.
Key Takeaways
Kerala Assembly will hold a special parliamentary practices class on 17 June for 71 new MLAs .
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan announced the initiative through a special ruling on Wednesday.
Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan will participate.
The House has 140 members — 102 in the treasury bench and 38 in the Opposition ( 35 Left Front , 3 BJP ).
The ruling follows decorum lapses on the session's opening day and sharp exchanges over alleged politically motivated transfers.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly will hold a special study class on 17 June to train 71 newly elected legislators in parliamentary rules, traditions and conventions, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan announced in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The initiative comes amid a politically charged opening to the session, marked by sharp exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches.
Why the training was ordered
Announcing the move through a special ruling, Speaker Radhakrishnan said the session's opening day witnessed several instances where some new members intervened without fully observing Assembly etiquette. He noted that some legislators were seen standing with their faces turned away from the Chair and moving around the House without proper decorum.
‘Since it was the first day, many members intervened freely,' the Speaker said, reminding legislators that the Assembly functions within a framework of rules and established traditions. He added that the conduct of senior members should serve as a model for first-time representatives.
House composition
The Kerala Assembly currently has 140 members, including 102 in the treasury bench and 38 in the Opposition — comprising 35 Left Front legislators and 3 BJP MLAs. The unusually large cohort of first-time members has heightened the need for structured orientation on legislative procedure.
Who will participate
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan are scheduled to attend the programme. The session will cover procedures relating to debates, interventions, parliamentary language and the broader responsibilities of legislators.
Political backdrop
The Speaker's intervention assumes significance as the current Assembly has a large number of first-time members still adapting to legislative procedure. The ruling also comes against the backdrop of heated debates on issues including alleged politically motivated transfers of government employees.
Radhakrishnan urged all members to ensure that differences of opinion remain within the boundaries of parliamentary conduct and that the dignity of the legislature is protected. ‘Respecting the traditions of the Assembly is essential for maintaining the credibility and effectiveness of parliamentary democracy,' he said.
What's next
The 17 June study session, with participation from the Chief Minister and Opposition Leader, is expected to offer new legislators a direct window into the functioning of the House from experienced political leaders. Procedural compliance in subsequent sittings will be the real test of whether the orientation translates into floor discipline.
Point of View
And the Speaker's pre-emptive ruling is a quiet acknowledgement that floor discipline cannot be assumed. The optics of CM Satheesan and Opposition Leader Vijayan sharing a training dais are striking in a session already fraying over transfer politics. The real question is whether structured orientation can hold once partisan temperatures rise — past Assemblies have seen similar classes followed by equally familiar walkouts. Procedure, ultimately, survives only when both benches choose to be bound by it.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kerala Assembly's new MLA training programme?
It is a special study class on parliamentary practices scheduled for 17 June to familiarise 71 newly elected legislators with the rules, traditions and conventions of the Kerala Assembly. The session will cover debates, interventions, parliamentary language and legislator responsibilities.
Why has the Speaker ordered this training?
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the opening day saw several new members intervening without fully following Assembly etiquette, including standing with faces turned away from the Chair and moving around the House without decorum. He said senior members' conduct should serve as a model for first-timers.
Who will attend the 17 June session?
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan are scheduled to participate, alongside the 71 newly elected MLAs. Their presence is intended to give new legislators direct exposure to experienced political leaders on House functioning.
What is the current composition of the Kerala Assembly?
The House has 140 members in total — 102 in the treasury bench and 38 in the Opposition. The Opposition comprises 35 Left Front legislators and 3 BJP MLAs.
What political backdrop surrounds the Speaker's ruling?
The ruling comes amid a politically charged opening to the session, with sharp exchanges between the treasury and Opposition benches over issues including alleged politically motivated transfers of government employees. The Speaker urged members to keep disagreements within parliamentary boundaries.
