UDF boycotts assembly proceedings over Jayarajan issue

The Congress-led UDF Tuesday boycotted proceedings on the last day of the Assembly session after the Speaker declined to allow discussion on the CBI charge sheet filed against CPI(M) leaders P Jayarajan and T V Rajesh.

Despite protests by the opposition parties, the Assembly was adjourned sine die.

The opposition party members, led by Ramesh Chennithala boycotted the session, saying their adjournment motion should have been allowed as a person accused in a murder case was present in the House.

"A sitting MLA has been named in the charge sheet. How can a political party functioning in a democratic manner get involved in a mob killing?" Chennithala asked.

He alleged that 27 political murders had taken place in the state since the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power four years ago.

"If we can't present this issue in the assembly, then why are we coming here? Is this democracy? it is a serious issue.. We decided to protest.. We express our strong protest," he said.

Speaker Sreeramakrishnan said the matter was not related to the government.

"This matter doesn't relate to the government as per the Assembly rules on the adjournment motion. This is an issue which happened some years ago.

If the Opposition wants, they can bring it before the house as a submission," the Speaker said.

However, the Opposition refused to agree and protested inside the house before boycotting the session.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader M K Muneer claimed that the issue was relevant as the charge sheet was filed Monday.

"Jayarajan is involved in many cases registered in Kannur. The witnesses are living under threat. We want the case to be shifted from Thalassery.

Now Rajesh (MLA) is under the protection of this Assembly. We fear that CPI(M) might field Jayarajan for the Lok Sabha elections. This is fascism," Muneer told reporters later.

Noting that the adjournment motion sought to prevent such crimes in the future, Chennithala said, "Such crimes must never happen. Government and police should take necessary action to prevent such issues in the future."