Opposition stages walkout from Kerala assembly over allegations against Forest Minister AK Saseendran
India Today
The Opposition walked out of the assembly after the speaker turned down the discussion on allegations against the Forest Minister.
Congress lead UDF staged a walkout from the state assembly in Kerala on the very first day of the session. The adjournment motion seeking discussion on allegations against Forest Minister A K Saseendran was turned down by the speaker. The state capital witnessed violent protest as opposition parties marched towards the assembly demanding Saseendran's resignation.A K Saseendran ran into controversy after an audio of the minister emerged. In the audio, the minister can be heard negotiating with a party member to solve a case. A K Saseendran allegedly intervened to solve a case pertaining to the molestation of a woman.On Thursday morning as the session began, Congress MLA PC Vishnunath moved an adjournment motion seeking discussion on the issue. "Minister called the complainant's father to ensure there won't be legal action in the case. It was done with an intention to ensure justice will not be served. Minister has violated the oath of office by intervening in this case", Vishnunath said in the assembly.From the ruling front, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took up the task of responding to the notice. "The complaint was that through WhatsApp group of NCP Kollam derogatory messages had been sent to the girl. Also, a fake Facebook profile was created. The complaint also said that the accused held her hands in his shop. Following this, police have called Padmakaran, the respondent and the complainant to the police station", he saidChief Minister further added that Padmakaran appeared on June 30 and the same day, the complainant did not appear. The complainant appeared on July 1, and police asked for the details of the complaint but did not get more details and informed the complainant that a detailed inquiry is needed.On July 20, a case has been registered under IPC sections 354, 509, 34. The state Police Chief will enquire into the complaint that there was a delay in registering the case. The government will ensure that the police are taking action.“The complainant is an NCP leader's daughter and the accused is also an NCP worker. Since it was a problem between them, the minister who is also an NCP leader enquired into it. The minister himself has said this publicly. There is no need to adjourn the assembly and discuss this matter”, Chief Minister said.Subsequently, the adjournment motion was turned down.Responding to the Chief Minister, Leader Of Opposition VD Satheesan slammed the government's response. "The minister was attempting to threaten the complainant's father and get the complaint withdrawn. Is this the job of a minister? When did the ministers start settling cases that are pending before the police? Since the chair has refused adjournment motion, the opposition is walking out", said Satheesan.BJP Yuva Morcha activists and Mahila Morcha activists were detained by the police while attempting to barge into the assembly. Another protest march by the BJP turned violent outside the assembly as the police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Also read: Shocking state of affairs: Supreme Court raps Kerala govt for allowing relaxations of Covid norms for Bakrid Also read: Kerala transport minister quits after audio emerges of lewd conversation with womanMore Related News