THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition has staged an uproar in the assembly over Sabarimala issue. Opposition members protested by showing placards at 9 am when the question answer session started in the assembly. They were demanding to withdraw section 144 at Sabarimala during chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s speech. They did not withdraw from the protest though the speaker clarified that Sabarimala issue can be discussed later after the question answer session. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan continued his speech, though the opposition members tried to stop him with slogans.

MLAs P C George and O Rajagopal reached the assembly in ‘Ayyappa’ costume. Though they had clarified that a joint protest will be held in Sabarimala issue, they did not join the UDF members in the protest.

Earlier, Congress meet had assessed that Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) were trying to nurture BJP with Sabarimala issue. UDF had also decided to stage strong protests following this. Though, V D Satheesan MLA and V T Balram MLA support women entry at Sabarimala, they have also decided to stay united with UDF to reveal the agenda set by CPI(M) and BJP.