THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the opposition's demand for an adjournment motion in the assembly to discuss the abduction of a woman councillor in Koothattukulam. MLA Anoop Jacob, who introduced the adjournment motion notice, questioned the government's double standards when it came to women's safety.

MLA ANOOP JACOB:

“The Koothattukulam incident comes two weeks after the Chief Minister promised to guarantee women's safety. A CPM councillor was kidnapped and humiliated. In Kerala, women are abducted by party members in broad daylight while police are looking like mute spectators.

Is forcedly striping a woman’s saree the CPM idea of woman’s safety. Or is it giving threats of breaking legs part of women’s safety? Kerala police jumped into action with renewed vigour in the Honey Rose case but remained like a damp squid when it came to the Koothattukulam issue.”

The Chief Minister said there was no need to discuss the matter by adjourning the House.

CM PINARAYI VIJAYAN:

“Four people were arrested in the incident. Action is being taken. There was an attempt to influence Kala Raju. If she is jumping ship to another party, she should at least show moral responsibility to relinquish her post as a CPM representative.

The state is taking a no-compromise stance on attacks against women. The trend of supporting such political switching games, deplorable to democratic ethos, remains the core issue of concern. Action will be taken against the wrongdoers. Violence against women will be taken seriously. Currently, there is no law and order issue in Koothattukulam. Police are taking all necessary steps.”

The House was disturbed when the members of the ruling party interrupted the speech of the Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan. The opposition leader then lost composure and threw away the paper he was reading.

“What sort of Roguery is this? Minister Veena George was also shouting, interrupting my speech. There is no surprise since she is the same leader who welcomed a KAAPA case culprit with garlands.” said Satheesan.

The congress members then staged a walkout from the assembly.