THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The debate marking the last session of the 13th Kerala Assembly will kick off on Tuesday with a notice for an adjournment motion by Opposition deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan soon after question hour against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, “who happens to remain in office on the strength of a stay for two months the Vigilance court probe against in solar case”.
The Opposition would demand the resignation of Mr Chandy and would advise him to follow the previous example set by Excise and Fisheries Minister K Babu, who did not cling on to technicalities and stepped down, though only to come back after 10 days.
But the Opposition would also argue that left to himself Mr Babu would not have returned to the cabinet. He was forced to return to facilitate the continuation of the Chandy ministry because Mr Babu staying out on a similar charge would make Mr Chandy’s continuation illogical.
Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan would speak before the walkout and taunt Mr Chandy for being a “stay CM”. But the Opposition would return to the House after the walkout and join in the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address.
Congress member K Muraleedharan will move the motion, expressing thanks to the Governor. But the rest of the discussion is sure to focus on allegations and counter allegations in solar/bargate.
Both the Opposition and the treasury bench will utilize every opportunity to score brownie points. Fireworks can be expected but the Opposition has already hinted it will not be like the Black Friday violence during last year’s budget presentation. They do not want to be seen as unedifying in their conduct on the eve of the Assembly election.
