TRIVANDRUM, 2 December 2004 — The opposition trooped out of the Kerala Assembly yesterday in protest against a minister linked to a sex scandal, while opposition activists battled with the police outside, leaving many injured.
The speaker eventually adjourned the house after three hours of disruption.
Police burst several rounds of tear gas and used water canons to disperse members of the youth and women’s wings of the opposition after they attacked the security personnel with stones.
Several people were injured. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Panniyan Ravindran was hospitalized after a tear gas shell burst near him. The violence threw normal life in the city center out of gear.
Earlier, chaos prevailed in the assembly as the opposition raised the sex allegations against Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty.
As question hour began, members of the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) sprang to their feet, shouting slogans demanding Kunhalikutty’s resignation and a discussion on the issue.
Speaker T. Ramakrishnan prevailed upon the opposition to wait until question hour was over. After question hour, the opposition moved an adjournment motion on the subject. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy agreed to the motion but said it would be taken up at 12.30 p.m.
The opposition refused to relent, and furious members gathered before the speaker’s chair. Eventually, they walked out protesting against the presence of Kunhalikutty.
