After clash in Assembly, MLAs begin blame game

Thiruvananthapuram: A day after the unprecedented ruckus in the state Assembly which saw both Congress-led ruling UDF and CPI-M-led Opposition LDF coming to blows, the two camps are gearing for another showdown seeking action against each other for the troubles in the House.

According to party sources, UDF leaders wanted stern action against LDF MLAs, who vandalised Speaker's dias and acted "undemocratically" by toppling his chair, pulling out the mike system and computer.

At a meeting of the Congress Legislative Party Saturday, most of the MLAs sought action against LDF members especially those who were responsible for the destruction of Speaker's podium.

However, according to sources, a final decision has not been taken.

Indicating that the government had taken the matter very seriously, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said yesterday that "the action of LDF members who have gone on a destructive spree was disgrace to the state".

The UDF has decided to observe March 15 as 'black day' as a mark of protest against the incidents in the Assembly on the budget presentation day by Finance Minister K M Mani.

Meanwhile, LDF, which is observing a 'hartal' Saturday to protest against violence in the Assembly against their MLAs including women, is all set to seek action against UDF members.

LDF had already decided to abstain from discussions on the budget in the Assembly, holding that the presentation of budget by Mani, whose name figured in the vigilance FIR in the bar bribery scam, was not as per the Assembly rules and procedures.

LDF leaders had Friday met Governor P Sathasivam and sought a direction to the government to present the budget in the assembly as per rules.

They also wanted the budget to be presented again by another minister and demanded Mani's resignation.

Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with comments that ranged from critical to sarcastic taking potshots at the behaviours of MLAs in the Assembly.