Opposition disrupts proceedings in Assembly

The opposition tried to raise the issue during the question and answer session, which was not allowed by Speaker G Karthikeyan.

LDF members then raised slogans and displayed a banner demanding removal of Basheer, MLA from Eranad constituency, from the House for his alleged role in the murder of two brothers on Sunday.

However, the Speaker proceeded with the question hour amid protest of the opposition. During zero hour, LDF members rushed to the well of the House in support of their demand.

With Karthikeyan's appeal to the opposition for the smooth conduct of the House failing to evoke any positive response, the House was adjourned after passing two bills slated for the day.

Later, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters that Basheer could not be arrested just because his name had been included in the FIR.

"This is part of government policy and not a position to protect ruling front MLA," he said.

The first beneficiary of the government policy was CPI(M) MLA from Udumbanchola K K Jayachandran, against whom a case was registered.

"Jaychandran is an accused in a case registered in connection with the murder of one Anchery Baby in Idukki district in 1980's," Chandy said, adding that police would proceed further only after a thorough probe into the matter.

Industries Minister and IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty said his party would not protect Basheer if found to be guilty.

However, opposition leader V S Achuthanandan alleged that Chandy was trying to protect Basheer under "pressure" from IUML, the second largest partner in the UDF.