Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition parties in Kerala today walked out of the Assembly, boycotting Governor P Sathasivam's address.
Holding placards and banners, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) demanded the resignation of Finance Minister KM Mani, who is facing a vigilance probe in the "bar scam case".
This Budget session is expected to be stormy as the opposition parties have made it clear that they will not allow Mr Mani to present his 13th state budget on March 13.
"We seek the cooperation of all to support us, as we just cannot sit in the house where Mani is present," Leader of Opposition VS Achuthanandan told reporters outside the assembly.
However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, backing his minister, has said that Mr Mani himself will present the budget.
The issue dragged the ruling UDF into a controversy after a bar and hotel owner Biju Ramesh last year alleged that Mr Mani had taken bribes to renew the licence of bars which were shut down.
Another issue the LDF plans to target the UDF with, according to party sources, is the Solar Scam involving Chief Minister Oomen Chandy's office.