Opposition continues protest in Assembly

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M-led LDF Opposition Wednesday continued its protest in the Assembly demanding that a House Committee probe corruption allegations against the Public Works Ministry, levelled by an MLA in the treasury benches, leading to early adjournment of the House for the second day.

Seizing on the corruption charges hurled by former minister K B Ganesh Kumar of Kerala Congress (B) Tuesday, LDF Wednesday sought an adjournment motion on the issue and wanted government to make clear its stand on forming a House committee to probe the allegations.

With LDF members squatting in the Well of the House and shouting slogans against the government, Deputy Speaker N Sakthan took up the legislative business scheduled for the day and adjourned the House.

Defending PWD Minister V K Ibrahim Kunju of Indian Union Muslim League, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy took on the LDF and said the opposition has nothing more to add than what Kumar had said very vaguely.

Congratulating Kunju for taking up several road and infrastructure projects under PWD, Chandy said LDF strategy to put hurdles in the state's development schemes under the cover of corruption charges would not succeed.

Turning the tables on V S Sunilkumar(CPI), who sought leave for adjournment motion, Chandy said CPI was the first political party in the country accused of "selling a Parliament seat." He was referring to the payment seat scandal connected with Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, where CPI had fielded a non-party candidate Bennet Abraham after allegedly taking funds from him.

"Are you not ashamed to raise this kind of allegation," he said, adding, "When you point a finger against us, remember that four fingers are pointing towards you," Chandy said, amid cheers from ruling UDF members.

Putting up a brave face, Kunju denied the allegations and said Opposition had relied on the material of Kumar, who was conspicuously absent from the House today.

Kumar, son of KC-B leader R Balakrishna Pillai and a lone MLA from the party, is not in good terms with the ruling UDF ever since he quit the Ministry in April 2013 following family problems.

Kumar had alleged that the PWD ministry was immersed in corruption and three personal staff of the PWD minister were corrupt.

Sunilkumar alleged that the Ministry was sunk in corruption and Chandy was protecting the guilty.