V.D. Satheesan's Outburst in Kerala Assembly
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Synopsis
Tensions erupted in the Kerala Legislative Assembly as Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan confronted the government over the alleged abduction of CPI-M councilor Kala Raju. The heated discussions led to chaos, with opposition members protesting against the police's inaction, while CPI-M officials dismissed allegations against their party.
Key Takeaways
- Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan lost his temper during Assembly proceedings.
- Opposition MLA Anup Jacob raised concerns about the abduction of CPI-M councilor Kala Raju.
- Public outrage is growing against the CPI-M following the incident.
- Four arrests have been made, but key perpetrators remain untouched.
- CPI-M officials dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 (NationPress) Tensions escalated within the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) V.D. Satheesan exhibited visible frustration during the contentious debates.
The disturbance commenced when opposition MLA Anup Jacob requested an adjournment motion concerning the alleged kidnapping of Kala Raju, a CPI-M councilor, purportedly planned by members of her own party in the Koothattukulam municipality the previous week.
Jacob criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for his permissive attitude towards the police, claiming they merely watched as CPI-M activists purportedly assaulted Raju, tore her saree, and forcibly took her away in a vehicle.
Jacob questioned Vijayan’s assertions of Kerala being a secure state for women, sharply asking if this was the so-called "safe haven" the Chief Minister frequently promoted.
As discussions grew heated, Satheesan faced repeated interruptions from treasury bench members. With Speaker A.N. Shamseer unable to maintain order, Satheesan lost his cool. In a dramatic show of exasperation, he tossed his papers aside and openly criticized the Speaker for his lack of action.
The commotion heightened as opposition members surged into the well of the House, chanting slogans against the government’s management of the police. However, these protests were not aired, as Kerala Assembly TV, the only channel covering the proceedings, muted those segments -- a practice now commonplace during legislative disruptions.
The alleged kidnapping of Raju transpired when she publicly voiced her discontent with her party and signaled her intention to vote contrary to CPI-M directives in a municipal election. Following this, she was reportedly assaulted and forcibly removed while attempting to engage in the voting process.
Public outrage against the CPI-M’s actions has been growing. Although four individuals have been arrested in relation to the incident, Jacob stated in the Assembly that the main offenders -- prominent CPI-M leaders in the area -- remain unscathed. He asserted that those apprehended were habitual offenders often utilized by the CPI-M to carry out such acts.
Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan accused the opposition Congress-led UDF of orchestrating Raju’s abduction and dismissed media inquiries with noticeable annoyance.
Raju has publicly stated that her modesty was violated by CPI-M members and expressed disappointment over the absence of action against the real culprits. The police have also filed cases against Jacob and UDF activists for protesting in front of the Koothattukulam police station.
