Left turned their women MLAs into 'suicide squad': Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: The Left opposition turned their six women legislators into a 'suicide squad' and paraded them on the floor of the assembly, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

"Whenever there is a tense situation, the first priority is to ensure that the women and children are safe. But last Friday when everyone knew that the situation on the floor of the assembly is going to be tense, they (Left Front) turned their six women legislators into a suicide squad and brought them to the front. This was done with ulterior motives," said Chandy.

The Left opposition created a huge ruckus last Friday. It had earlier announced that under no circumstances would they allow state Finance Minister K.M. Mani to present the budget as he was an accused in a bribery case.

"The Left opposition members smashed the speaker's dais and caused damage of Rs five lakhs. By a pre-planned move to parade the women legislators, they have even thrown the rights of women for a toss," added Chandy.

On Tuesday, former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan put five of the six women Left leaders in the front row and they had to face the brunt of the government-opposition clash. They later demanded that action should be taken against the treasury bench legislators for 'sexually' assaulting them.

"Yes, I saw a few photographs being shown by Left legislator Jameela Prakasham. We wish to find out why they are not coming out with the CD that has already come out and in it everything is clear. Moreover Achuthanandan in his complaint given on the 13th makes no mention of the so called 'attack' on their women legislators," added Chandy.

On Monday, five Left legislators were suspended for the remaining period of the session as they were identified causing damage to the speaker's dais.

The Kerala Police have begun a detailed probe into the incident.

"The law will take its course over causing the damage," added Chandy.