M.M. Mani’s comments against K.K. Rema roils Kerala Assembly for second straight day
The Hindu
Speaker M. B. Rajesh adjourned the House for the day in the face of a strident Congress-led UDF protest against Mr. Mani for his comments against K. K. Rema on Thursday. The assembly will reconvene on June 18
Former minister and Communist Party of India (CPI(M) legislator M. M. Mani's comments against Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) MLA K. K. Rema roiled the Kerala Legislative Assembly for a second straight day on Friday.
On Thursday, Ms. Rema’s speech criticising Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s law enforcement policy apparently provoked Mr. Mani. He countered her speech by saying: “A lady had spoken against the CM and the LDF government. She is a widow. It is her fate. We are not responsible.”
On Friday, UDF legislators trooped into the well of the House. They mobbed the Speaker's rostrum condemning Mr. Mani and demanding an apology from the government.
Speaker M. B. Rajesh adjourned the House for the day in the face of a strident Congress-led UDF opposition protest against Mr. Mani. The Assembly will reconvene on June 18.
Opposition legislators raised placards inveighing against the “ingrained culture of misogyny, criminality and blatant disregard for the rule of law and human life” in the CPI(M).
Law Minister P. Rajeeve countered that Mr. Mani had done no wrong. He had merely reiterated that the ruling front had no role in any crime. Moreover, Mr. Mani had referred to the opposition legislator with respect.
Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan accused Mr. Mani of making light of Ms. Rema's widowhood and her husband's martyrdom at the instance of the CPI(M) leadership.