Opposition walks out over entrenched corruption and criminality in the ruling CPI(M)
The Hindu
Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition waklked out after Speaker A. N. Shamsheer denied Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan permission under rule 15 to adjourn the House to discuss the alleged police attempt to save a local CPI(M) leader and municipal counsellor from a tobacco smuggling case
The government and opposition traded charges in the Assembly on Thursday over the alleged culture of corruption and clientelism in the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)].
The debate provoked a walkout by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition after Speaker A. N. Shamsheer denied Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan permission under rule 15 to adjourn the House to discuss the alleged police attempt to save a local CPI(M) leader and municipal counsellor from a tobacco smuggling case in Alappuzha.
Also read |CPI (M) expels branch committee member over his alleged involvement in banned tobacco products smuggling case
Mr Kuzhalnadan portrayed the case as emblematic of the ruling party’s “insatiable” appetite to enrich itself from crime and the reckless disregard of its local leaders for the rule of law.
He said the CPI(M) similarly drew succour from spirit barons convicted in the liquor tragedy that claimed 32 lives at Kalluvathakkal in the Kollam district when the Nayanar government was in power in 2000.
Mr. Kuzhalnadan alleged the common denominator in the CPI(M) was always the involvement of its local leaders in “benami” businesses and crime.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan objected to Mr. Kuzhalnadan’s “attempt” to denigrate the party.
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