Kerala Assembly Erupts in Chaos as Sabarimala Row Triggers Shouting, Scuffles
Opposition walks out after heated clashes, alleges probe derailment and political interference
Kerala, Jan 03 : The Kerala Assembly witnessed unprecedented disorder on Tuesday as sharp confrontations between the ruling LDF and the opposition paralysed proceedings over allegations that the Sabarimala gold smuggling investigation was being deliberately weakened.
The turmoil culminated in Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan leading opposition legislators out of the House for the remainder of the day, accusing the government of shielding key accused and sabotaging the probe.
The confrontation erupted when opposition members boycotted Question Hour and stormed into the well of the House, waving placards and banners accusing the state government of obstructing justice in the high-profile case. The protest quickly escalated into shouting matches and physical jostling, forcing repeated adjournments.
Tensions peaked when a group of opposition MLAs, led by Anvar Sadath, attempted to move towards the Speaker’s dais and later tried to enter the Speaker’s chamber. Watch and Ward staff intervened, resulting in pushing and shoving on the Assembly floor. Amid the chaos, Speaker A.N. Shamseer left the chair, triggering a temporary suspension of proceedings.
Addressing reporters, Satheesan alleged that the Special Investigation Team probing the case had been rendered ineffective due to interference from the Chief Minister’s Office. He claimed that investigative lapses had enabled influential accused to secure default bail and warned that the prime accused could soon walk free.
Declaring that the opposition could not continue normal legislative business under such circumstances, Satheesan said protests would be intensified both inside and outside the Assembly.
The ruling front hit back strongly. Minister M.B. Rajesh dismissed the protest as theatrics, accusing the opposition of lacking substantive issues and undermining the dignity of the House. He alleged that the opposition was venting frustration after legal setbacks in other cases and had failed to even move a formal adjournment motion.
As ruling party members raised counter-slogans near the well, tempers flared further. Even after the House reconvened later in the morning, the uproar continued, forcing another adjournment.
The dramatic scenes highlighted widening political divisions in Kerala, with the Sabarimala gold smuggling case emerging as a flashpoint that brought legislative business to a standstill and signalled an increasingly confrontational Assembly session ahead.
