Kerala govt accuses Oppn of 'hiring' Shiv Sena activists, MLAs nearly come to blows

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Thursday plunged into turmoil after the ruling-LDF and the Opposition UDF MLAs nearly came to blows during the zero hour while discussing a notice for adjournment motion on "moral policing" by Shiv Sena.

The House was adjourned temporarily following the uproar. The state Legislature was discussing the UDF's notice on the Kochi incident yesterday when the ruckus broke out.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's statement expressing doubts whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the incident and whether the Sena activists were allegedly hired by the Opposition, infuriated the UDF MLAs.

The MLAs first protested by sitting in the well of the House and then rushed to the treasury benches.

Soon, there was a stand-off as the ruling MLAs too rushed towards the well to block them which was followed by heated exchanges between the two sides.

Fearing that the situation might go out of control, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan adjourned the House temporarily.