Kerala Assembly adopts resolution censuring four Opposition MLAs for ‘disorderly conduct’

Kerala Assembly censures Opposition legislators for disorderly conduct, sparking debate on parliamentary decorum and political motives.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (October 8, 2024) adopted a resolution censuring four Opposition legislators for “disorderly conduct that lowered the prestige of the House and infringed on the special privileges of the Speaker.” 

Moving the resolution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh accused United Democratic Front (UDF) legislators Mathew Kuzhalnadan, I.C. Balakrishnan, Anwar Sadat and Sajeev Joseph of trespassing on Speaker A.N. Shamseer’s dais, moving menacingly towards his seat and grappling with the Watch and Ward who shielded the Chair on Monday.

 Mr. Rajesh also charged the Opposition with holding banners and placards aloft, blocking the Speaker’s view of the floor. 

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused the Chair of aggravating the situation by ignoring the Opposition’s protest in the well and proceeding with the day’s affairs as if it were business as usual. 

Mr. Satheesan said Mr. Shamseer had thrown legislative precedence to the wind by “forsaking the path of negotiation and consensus.”

“Usually, when the Opposition protests in the well, the Speaker summons the floor leaders to his chamber to ensure the Assembly’s smooth conduct. It did not happen on Monday. Instead, the Speaker chose the path of confrontation”, he said. 

Mr. Satheesan said it was not the first time in the House that the Opposition protested with banners and placards or besieged the Speaker’s dais.