Baby returns to Kerala assembly

CPI-M politburo member M.A. Baby Monday returned to the Kerala assembly after his request to resign as a legislator after losing the Lok Sabha polls was turned down by the party.

Baby was the only politburo member who contested the Lok Sabha elections but lost in his home turf in Kollam.

After the results were declared, Baby informed his party that he wished to quit as a legislator.

But both the politburo and the state unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said a firm 'No' to his request.

The assembly session began last Monday, and Baby's absence sent tongues wagging that he was adamant on quitting.

At 9.15 a.m. Monday, Baby made a quiet entry into the assembly, and on seeing him, there was loud thumping of the desks in the rear of the treasury benches. The ruling party's chief whip P.C. George was seen waving his hand.

However, Baby's politburo colleague and legislator Kodiyeri Balakrishnan later denied that a whip was issued to Baby to attend the assembly session.

"No such thing has taken place and he made his own decision to come," Balakrishnan told reporters.