Is it time for the first wicket of second innings? Saji Cheriyan likely to resign for his slip of tongue, minister summoned to AKG Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Protests are intensifying against Minister Saji Cheriyan for his controversial remarks against the Constitution in a public event. The opposition is of the stand that nothing less than the minister's resignation is acceptable. With opposition from parties including the CPI, the state is now anxious whether the CPM will seek the resignation of the minister. Decisive moves are continuing at the CPM party headquarters. The chief minister and the party state secretary met at the AKG Centre. Shortly after this, Saji Cheriyan was summoned. With this, speculations are rife that the minister is likely to resign.

The leaders had discussed this matter with many including the AG. It is hinted that the government has sought legal advice on issues such as how to defend the controversial speech if it reach the court. If there is a setback from the court, it will be more humiliating for the government. There is also a possibility to make the minister resign before this. In the absence of Saji Cheriyan, the available secretariat was convened at the AKG Centre and the minister reached here after that. The party leadership is deeply dissatisfied with the remarks of the minister. The available Secretariat meet is being held at the AKG Centre. It has to be noticed that Minister Saji Cheriyan is not attending the meet.

The opposition disrupted the assembly proceedings in the assembly demanding the resignation of minister Saji Cheriyan for his controversial remarks about the constitution. The assembly was adjourned for the day within minutes of the start of the question hour. As soon as the question hour started, an uproar was witnessed. They shouted slogans against the minister without raising questions. After that, the opposition trooped to the well of the house. The assembly was convened only for eight minutes. The visuals of the protest were not shown on Sabha’s TV.

Saji Cheriyan's ministerial berth hangs in balance when it was confirmed that his speech in a public meeting insulting the constitution after declaring allegiance to the high values of the constitution at the time of swearing in would lead to legal embarrassments. After the controversial speech, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought an explanation from Saji Cheriyan. Congress and BJP leaders had complained to the Governor on this issue and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan responded that he hoped the chief minister would take an appropriate decision. This has also put the chief minister on the defensive.