Kerala Assembly witnesses disruptions over Sabarimala issue, 3 UDF MLAs launch 'Satyagraha'

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala were on Monday involved in a war of words in the state assembly over the Sabarimala Temple issue, leading to disruption of House proceedings for the fourth day.

Three UDF MLAs also began an indefinite 'Satyagraha' at the entrance of the House on the issue.

As the war of words continued and Congress-led Opposition UDF MLAs began shouting slogans, the House was adjourned for the fourth day by Speaker P Sreeramakrishann.


Unlike previous days, the House even saw CPI(M)-led LDF members standing up from their seats and locking horns with opposition members, prompting the Speaker to warn both sides.

As soon as the Question Hour began, Chennithala informed the Speaker that the opposition was ready to cooperate in conducting House proceedings.

He said three MLAs-V S Sivakumar (Congress), Parakkal Abdullah (IUML) and N Jayaraj (KC-M)-will observe an indefinite 'Satyagraha' at the portals of the Assembly as the government had not withdrawn prohibitory orders at Sabarimala and also demanding more facilities for pilgrims.

The chief minister said he had thought the opposition would make such an announcement earlier itself in the light of the BJP having decided to shift its agitation in front of the Secretariat from Monday.

"This is a collusion between the Congress and BJP-RSS and a belated awakening," Vijayan said.

While the BJP was agitating in front of the secretariat, the Congress-led UDF MLAs were observing a 'Satyagraha' at the Assembly, he said.

Taking a dig at the UDF, Vijayan even said they were following the stand taken by BJP chief Amit Shah rather than that of their leader Rahul Gandhi on the Sabarimala issue.