Brief Kerala Assembly session to commence from Nov 30

The eleven-day brief session of Kerala Assembly, beginning from November 30, is expected to be stormy with CPI-M led LDF opposition sharpening its armoury to attack the Congress-led UDF government over bar bribery scam, which rocked the state for the past one year.
Enthused over the resignation of K M Mani as Finance Minister on November 10 after the Kerala High Court refused to stay further probe in the bar bribery case against him, LDF has targeted Excise Minister K Babu, against whom also allegations of bribe have been levelled.
The defensive government had prepared itself to face the challenges by pointing out various welfare schemes and development initiatives undertaken by it.

As part of its agitation demanding resignation of Babu, a close confidant of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, LDF has planned a massive people's march to the Assembly on the opening day of the session.
Opposition was sure to take up the matter inside the House also. Front Convener Vaikom Viswam had made it clear that opposition strategy in the House on the issue would be finalised after discussions with its alliance partners.
Bribery charges against Mani and Babu were levelled by the Working President of Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association Biju Ramesh.

A case was filed against Mani by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau after a 'quick verification' on the charges that he had taken a bribe of Rs one crore and demanded Rs 10 crore bribe for renewing bar licences in 2014.

Opposition alleged that a case was not registered against Babu as he was a close confidant of Chandy and it was a clear case of dual justice.
The drubbing received by the UDF at the just concluded civic polls also would be reflected at the session with opposition using it as a weapon to attack the government.
The session would also be noted for the absence of former government Chief Whip P C George, who was disqualified as a legislator after he rebelled against his party leader Mani.
The session, penultimate before the state elects new lawmakers in the general polls to be held in early next year, was scheduled to meet for 11 days till December 17.

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A media award in memory of former Speaker G Karhtikeyan would be instituted. The 'G Karthikeyan Media Award' would be presented to one person from print and electornic meida every year for best assembly reporting.
The award would carry a cash of Rs.50,000 and a citation, Sakthan said.