Shylaja's resignation: CM Pinarayi Vijayan defends, opposition walks out
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reiterated that there was no need for health and social justice minister K. K. Shylaja to resign as she had done nothing illegal. Replying to an adjournment motion in the assembly on Thursday on the adverse remarks made by High Court against her, which it expunged later in the day, he said there was no need for her resignation as she was not a respondent.
Opposition UDF members boycotted the assembly proceedings for the fourth consecutive day demanding her resignation for alleged ‘nepotism and misuse of power to select one of the party men facing criminal charges as the member of the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Incidentally, today was the last day of the Assembly session. Opposition members, who came with banners and placards, squatted in the well of the House, raised slogans and did not participate in the question hour.
They brought to the notice of the speaker the sit-in dharna at the corridors of the assembly hall by their colleagues V. P. Sajeendran, N. Shamsuddin, Roji M. John, Eldhose Kunnappilly and T. V. Ibrahim in support of their demand. The five ended their satyagraha as the House adjourned sine die. After the reply of the chief minister, Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan refused the leave for the motion. Following, this the opposition boycotted the house.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala announced that it was difficult for them to cooperate with the proceedings while Ms Shylaja continued as a minister. Later, Ms Shylaja said the opposition was cruel to her on the issue. She said they cornered her and attacked without even considering that she is a woman. It's a clear case of character assassination. I am ready to accept punishment if I have made a mistake," she said.
