Chandy defends Mani, takes on 'adamant' opposition

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday condemned the chaos in and outside the Kerala Assembly during the budget session, and described the whole situation as unfortunate and caused by an adamant opposition.

"Today's happenings were very unfortunate, this never happened in earlier times. Opposition parties took a very adamant stand regarding presentation of budget. We are in power and Mr. K.M. Mani is the Finance Minister and it is his duty to present the budget but unfortunately the opposition parties took a stand and didn't allow Mr. Mani to present the budget. We are helpless and we can't yield to that demand," said Chandy.

The Kerala Assembly today erupted in chaos as leaders of the opposition tried to prevent Finance Minister K.M. Mani, who is facing a vigilance probe in the bar scam case, from presenting the state budget.

Several MLAs were injured in the clash that took place inside the assembly.

The Speaker's chair and mics were thrown as Mani read out the budget surrounded by his party men and security personnel.

The CPI-M led Left Democratic Front (LDF), which has been demanding Mani's resignation, has alleged that the Finance Minister accepted a bribe of Rs. one crore to renew licences of bars that were shut down by the administration.

The opposition parties had earlier last week walked out of the assembly, demanding the Finance Minister's resignation.