LDF stages walkout over alleged attack on media

CPI-M led LDF Opposition members in Kerala today staged a walkout from the Assembly in protest against alleged attack on the media and house of an MLA by UDF workers even as Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala denied the incident.
The Opposition sought leave for an adjournment motion on the alleged attack on Editor-in-Chief M V Nikesh Kumar of Malayalam TV channel 'Reporter' here yesterday and house of K B Ganesh Kumar, KC (B) MLA, who recently snapped ties with the ruling Congress led UDF, at Pathanapuram.
The incidents reportedly happened while UDF workers were celebrating the victory of Congress candidate K S Sabarinadhan in the Aruvikkara by-poll.

Replying to the notice for the motion, Chennithala said UDF workers had not attacked the journalist.
"Government is of the view that media should be allowed to function freely in a democracy. Some people mocked him and in fact police escorted Nikesh Kumar to his car by providing security," he said.
Chennithala said the UDF government respects the freedom of the press and would never intimidate journalists and added that police had not received any compliant in this regard.

"Police will definitely enquire if it receives a complaint on the issue," Chennithala added.
P Sreeramakrishnan (CPI-M) alleged that the attack was deliberate as the channel was at the forefront of exposing corruption in the UDF government.

After Chennithala's reply, Speaker N Sakthan disallowed the motion, after which the Oppositon members led by their leader V S Achuthanandan staged a walkout.
Earlier during the beginning of the session, Opposition members raised slogans, demanding the resignation of Finance Minister K M Mani over the bar bribery scam.