Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition UDF on Friday disrupted the Assembly alleging that the government was not initiating any talks to end the indefinite sit-in by three UDF MLAs that entered the fifth day. The proceedings lasted for only 17 minutes.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala later told reporters that neither the government nor the Speaker have initiated talks to settle the stir by MLAs in front of the House. He also said that the Opposition would go ahead with the sit-in.
As the day’s proceedings began, Opposition MLAs entered the House shouting slogans and raising placards and banners. They entered the well of the House and shouted slogans demanding withdrawal of the prohibitory orders at Sabarimala and ensuring sufficient facilities for pilgrims.
Despite Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan urging the MLAs to withdraw the stir and allow smooth conduct of the House, the UDF MLAs continued to shout slogans in front of Speaker’s dais. Some even tried to climb the dais. Subsequently, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day after rushing through other proceedings. Mr Chennithala told reporters that though the Speaker on Thursday said that he would initiate a talks with the government to settle the stir, the government was maintaining an adamant stand. The three MLAs would be continuing sit-in on Saturday and Sunday too. The UDF Parliamentary party will meet on Monday morning and decided the future course of the stir, he said.
UDF legislators V.S. Sivakumar, Parakkal Abdullah and N. Jayaraj were staging the sit-in since Monday demanding withdrawal of prohibitory orders at Sabarimala as well as to ensure adequate facilities for devotees.
