Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15 (IANS) Kerala’s rival political fronts Saturday continued to trade charges over the alleged manhandling of a woman guard inside the assembly by two Left party legislators, the latest trigger was keeping the media from viewing footage of the episode.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters that at the time of examining the video of the incident Friday in the speaker’s chamber, the ruling party had wanted the media to be present.

“But the Left opposition were tooth and nail against inviting the media. All the doubts would have been cleared had the media been invited. We still wish the media is invited to view it,” Chandy said.

The Left, however, denied it had opposed allowing media, saying the footage proved its legislators had done no wrong.

Leader of Opposition V.S.Achuthanandan, who was not present in the assembly Friday, told reporters here that after the examination of the video, it has come to light that the allegation that their legislators manhandled the woman guard was wrong.

“We have no qualms in inviting the media to see the video. Yesterday (Friday) our leaders saw the video and there is nothing which shows that an attack was launched,” he said.

Speaker G. Karthikeyan told reporters that he is unable to say anything on the issue and he will make his statement in the house Monday.

The incident occurred when first-time CPI-M legislators T.V. Rajesh and James Mathew, while advancing to the speaker’s podium, were stopped by the watch and ward staff. In the melee, these two legislators allegedly roughed up one of the two woman guards. They, however, denied they did any such thing.

Rajesh even sobbed in full media glare in front of the assembly Friday evening as he denied the allegation.

Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister K.C.Joseph said that in the absence of Achuthanandan, it was former home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who should now be held responsible for the happenings in the house.

According to some legislators who saw the footage, just before these two CPI-M legislators advanced towards the woman guard, Rajesh was seen talking to Balakrishnan and then he grabbed Mathew’s hand as he moved towards the speaker’s podium.