Attack on councilors in Kochi raised in assembly; Speaker denies permission for adjournment motion, engages in verbal spat with opposition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The incident of attacking councilors when they came to attend the Kochi Corporation Council meet on the Brahmapuram issue yesterday, was raised in the assembly. Roji M John MLA moved a notice for an adjournment motion demanding to discuss the issue after suspending the assembly. However, the Speaker refused to give permission.

The speaker's reply was that it can be considered as the first submission. Opposition leader V D Satheesan said permission is being denied as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will have to reply on it. He added that even senior leaders were brutally beaten up by the police and is a serious matter. With this, a verbal spat broke out between the opposition and the ruling party.

Meantime, Law Minister P Rajeev said the UDF councilors had informed that they would not attend the meeting. The Speaker also clarified that the issues of local bodies cannot be discussed in the assembly. With this, the opposition protested in front of the speaker's dais with banners.