Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (IANS) The Congress-led opposition in Kerala Monday stalled the proceedings of the state assembly, alleging lack of governance due to the feud in the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) that saw Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan’s removal from the party politburo.
When Speaker K. Radhakrishnan denied leave for an adjournment motion by the opposition to discuss what they called lack of governance, angry opposition members marched towards the speaker’s podium shouting slogans in favour of Achuthanandan.

“We want to know who is the leader - is it (state home minister) Kodiyeri Balakrishnan or Achuthanandan?” opposition leaders asked out aloud.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy asked what should be taken up for discussion if the lack of governance was not being discussed.

“The state secretariat has now been given for film shooting as ruling front party members are fighting on the streets. Even the student organisations attached to the ruling parties are on the war path over the policy of the government for admission to professional colleges. There has been a bomb blast in Kochi. There is absolute chaos in governance as there is no collective responsibility,” Chandy said.

As opposition members shouted slogans, the speaker wrapped up the business for the day and abruptly adjourned the assembly.

Ever since the current assembly session began last month, the opposition has been attacking the government for ignoring the problems of the people due to the feud between Achuthanandan and party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

Achuthanandan was removed from the CPI-M’s politburo by the central committee Sunday.

Achuthanandan and Vijayan have been at loggerheads, with the chief minister insisting that Vijayan be removed as party state secretary after being named an accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Lavalin corruption case.

The Vijayan faction, in turn, has demanded that disciplinary action be taken against Achuthanandan for “violating party discipline”.

The CPI-M’s central committee Sunday said that Vijayan “was not involved in any corrupt practice whatsoever” and also reiterated the party’s resolve to fight the corruption case against him “politically and legally”.