Kerala Assembly erupts over alleged “political patronage” to the drug mafia; Speaker adjourns the House
The Hindu
The war of words transpired when the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition moved an adjournment motion seeking to indict the government for “failing to insulate students” from drugs
Speaker A. N. Shamsheer adjourned the House on Friday after the ruling front and opposition duelled stridently over alleged political patronage extended to the drug mafia.
The war of words transpired when the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition moved an adjournment motion seeking to indict the government for “failing to insulate students” from falling prey to narcotic drugs.
The dispute centred around a brawl between the students of the Government Polytechnic at Meppad in Wayanad district recently.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan protested the ruling front’s charge that narcotic offenders allied to the Congress-affiliated Kerala Students Union (KSU) had grievously injured Aparna Gowri, the joint district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] aligned Students Federation of India (SFI), for spearheading a “say no to drugs” campaign on the campus.
Also read | SFI leader in Wayanad attacked for campaigning against drugs, says CM
Mr. Satheesan countered that infighting in the SFI had resulted in the assault and that opposition students’ unions had no role in the fracas. He also quoted news reports and Ms. Gowri’s Facebook post to bolster his case.
The accusations prompted ruling front members to rise from their seats in SFI’s defence. Left Democratic Front (LDF) and UDF members hurled accusations and challenges at each other across the aisle.
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