Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Saturday sought to downplay the controversy over keeping Saji Cherian and Raju Abraham out of Assembly discussion on recent floods.
Speaking at a special series on recent floods, Kodiyeri said it is the parliamentary party that decides who should speak in Assembly. "MLAs do not speak in House only as representatives of a particular segment but as members of the CPM," he said.He was responding to questions on party's decision to keep out MLAs of worst affected constituencies Chengannur, Ranni and Mananthavady from the discussion on the floods in Assembly.
Kodiyeri said the Assembly did not discuss the flood situation in any specific constituency. It deliberated the issues confronting the state as a whole. An MLA is deputed to speak only if the problem is constituency specific. Barring Kasargod, all other districts had witnessed floods and several constituencies were flooded. But due to paucity of time you cannot have all MLAs to speak.
The CPM leader said a set of comrades were deputed by the party to speak on the floods and related issues. "The comrades who didn't speak had no complaints. In case if they wanted to speak they have the will and brains to do that. Raju Abraham who understood the actual ground situation later had later issued a clarification," he added.
Kodiyeri accused the opposition parties of politicising the floods. The government's priority is relief and rehabilitation for the affected persons, he said.
