Kerala CM's remark on Shiv Sena triggers chaos in assembly

It was a virtual free for all on Thursday on the floor of the Kerala assembly, with angry legislators from the treasury and opposition benches coming close to exchanging blows.

Situation went out of control after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his speech hinted that the Shiv Sena and the Congress-led opposition were hand in glove.

Soon after he made the remark, angry opposition legislators were seen rushing to the well of the house and some of them advancing menacingly towards the seat of Vijayan. But rising to the occasion, legislators from the treasury benches rushed to ring and guard Vijayan.

However, better sense prevailed on the members after Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan appealed to them to behave themselves and return to their seats.

It was after repeated appeals by gtfhe Speaker that the situation was defused, and sensing that the things could go out of control, the Speaker adjourned the house.

It all started after Congress legislator Hibi Eden sought leave for an adjournment motion on the incident where angry "Shiv Sena activists donned the role of moral police" at the famous Marine Drive park in Kochi on Wednesday evening.

"The Shiv Sena activists had informed the media about the programme much before and they went around chasing and harassing couples who were relaxing in the park, which is a a must-visit place for even foreign tourists," he said.

"Where were your police officials and the intelligence people? When these anti-social groups were on the rampage, your police officials watched it from the sidelines. Is this the way you have asked your police to act," asked an angry Eden.

Replying to this, Vijayan agreed that what happened at the park was a shame for the state.

"The police official on duty has been suspended from service, while seven others have been transferred, as it amounted to dereliction of duty. We will not tolerate moral policing and there will be no bar on friends to sit together in parks and other similar places. Eight people have already been arrested and the police have been told to act tough against 'moral policemen'," said Vijayan.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala also spoke tough and condemned the callous attitude of the police force.

But things went out of hand when Vijayan hit back at the opposition and asked if the Shiv Sena activists had the tacit support of the Congress and if they were hired by the Congress party to do what they did at the park.

Soon after this statement the situation in the house went out of control.

Meanwhile, to protest the Shiv Sena activists, hundreds of people, mostly youths, on Thursday evening got together at the Marine Drive park and hugged and kissed one another.

--IANS

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