Kerala Assembly | UDF stages walkout over Speaker’s denial of permission to Mathew Kuzhalnadan to level corruption charges

The Kerala Assembly witnessed an uproar and a walkout by the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on February 12 (Monday) after Speaker A.N. Shamseer denied permission to Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan to level corruption charges in the House.

The Kerala Assembly witnessed an uproar and a walkout by the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on February 12 (Monday) after Speaker A.N. Shamseer denied permission to Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan to level corruption charges in the House.

Mr. Kuzhalnadan, who registered his strong protest against the Speaker’s stand, later announced that he would present his allegation, which reportedly concerns Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, “before the people of the State” soon.

Mr. Kuzhalnadan, however, did not disclose the content of his allegation.

Speaking during the discussion on the State Budget in the afternoon, Mr. Kuzhalnadan announced that he was levelling a corruption charge and that he had sought permission in advance as per the rules. Mr. Shamseer had immediately intervened, saying that it could not be allowed.

According to the Speaker, Mr. Kuzhalnadan had sought permission in advance, but the documents he had furnished were not satisfactory.

Mr. Shamseer said that he could not allow the sanctity of the House to be destroyed on the basis of a “photostat.”

UDF members immediately stormed the well of the Assembly and surrounded the Speaker’s dais in protest.