Bar bribery case: UDF disrupts assembly; two bills passed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the strength of the resounding victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the opposition raised the issue of 'bar bribery' on the first day of the assembly session and put the ruling party on the defensive. Amidst the uproar, the House adjourned after passing the Kerala Municipality (Second Amendment) Bill and the Kerala Panchayat Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, meant for the delimitation of local body wards.

Congress's Roji M John gave notice for an urgent motion on the issue, pointing out the audio recording of bar owners collecting money to bribe the government for a change in liquor policy. He demanded that an FIR be filed and a judicial inquiry be announced under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the demand and replied that there would be further investigation based on the findings of the ongoing crime branch investigation.

The opposition members came to the center with placards and banners shouting slogans after this. Banners were held up covering the speaker's face, but the Speaker went ahead with the proceedings.