Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, July 27 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Wednesday wrote to Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan for his cooperation to examine video footage of assembly proceedings following allegations of bogus voting July 20.

The Left opposition demanded an examination of the video footage, saying that it would reveal that the government managed to pass the Finance Bill through bogus voting.

The opposition alleged that the treasury benches did not have the required strength at the time of voting.

“Now that you have raised the demand for checking the video footage of the July 20 voting, we will now ask the speaker (G. Karthikeyan) for it and we want to get your cooperation also,” said Chandy in his letter to Achuthanandan.

In his letter, the chief minister also sent a list of the treasury bench legislators who voted in favour of the bill.

“I wish to know from you, since you have said in public that the bill was passed through bogus voting, which of these legislators did the bogus voting,” Chandy wrote.

In the 141-member house, the ruling alliance has 73 members (including the speaker). The Left opposition has 68 members. On the voting day, two treasury bench legislators and one opposition member were absent.

“Sixty-nine of us voted that day and please tell us who was the one who did the bogus voting. The allegation that there was bogus voting, that has been raised by you is a grave one and it is more serious than the ongoing probe into the cash-for-votes probe in Delhi,” said Chandy.

With the speaker attending the meeting in London, the video footage’s examination is expected to take place next week.