Antics shown by ruling front; Satheesan is learning to become CM; verbal spat between ruling-opposition fronts 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A verbal spat between the ruling front and opposition is being witnessed in the assembly today as well. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Speaker A N Shamseer strongly criticized the opposition for the commotion witnessed the other day. Opposition leader V D Satheesan responded sharply to the criticism today. Satheesan informed the assembly this morning that it was the ruling front that created the chaos.

Satheesan asked the chief minister to withdraw his statement and alleged that ministers were insulting senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. The Speaker also levelled allegations against Satheesan. He said the watch-and-ward were hit with a stick tied to a banner. The Speaker said that, if necessary, he is ready to name the person who assaulted the staff.

However, the opposition leader denied the allegation, stating that he had not assaulted any watch-and-ward. During the question hour, Minister M B Rajesh accused Satheesan of double standards. Minister P Rajeev said that no one had attempted to insult Sonia Gandhi. He alleged that it was the opposition leader who was trying to publicly demean her and claimed that some Congress members had gone to meet Sonia Gandhi along with the main accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He added that if the opposition leader responded to this, Sonia Gandhi would gain “ten-carat brilliance.”

‘Has Shashi Tharoor MP been able to meet Sonia Gandhi despite waiting for a long time? How many -chief ministers have left the party after failing to get an appointment to meet her? Did late former chief minister K Karunakaran ever get an appointment with Sonia Gandhi? But how did the gold smugglers reach her? By keeping Sonia Gandhi in the dark, the opposition leader is becoming the voice of the BJP.’

Meantime, Minister V Sivankutty complained that the opposition leader looks down on everyone and uses inappropriate language in public venues. Sivankutty alleged that the protest inside the assembly was planned by election strategist Kanagolu.

‘Satheesan is saying Kanagolu’s opinions. What he did yesterday, he contradicts today. Satheesan has become someone who justifies all kinds of absurdities. The opposition leader is learning to become chief minister. A third Pinarayi government will come. Don’t try to threaten us. If many things are revealed, the opposition will have to leave with their heads covered in shame,’ said Sivankutty.