The protesting opposition legislators later staged a sit-in protest in the assembly premises
The Kerala Assembly session started today on a turbulent note with the Opposition boycotting the Governor's speech, raising slogans against the Speaker and the Chief Minister. Congress-led UDF MLAs shouted slogans against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan, demanding their resignations over alleged links to various corporation cases.
Reacting to the slogan shouting inside the house, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan was heard saying, "I am doing my constitutional duty. It is expected that no obstruction shall be created while the Governor is performing his Constitutional duty."
"Do not interrupt me," the Governor was heard repeating again.
Protests against the Speaker began soon after his Assistant Private Secretary K Ayyapan appeared before customs on Friday. He was served a notice to appear before Customs Kochi office for answering questions in the dollar smuggling case.
BJP's lone MLA however continued to participate in the session without protesting.
Pinarayi Vijayan has been under the attack of the Opposition since his former principal secretary M Sivasankar, who was suspended amid allegations, was arrested in an alleged money laundering case linked to the gold smuggling case through diplomatic channel.
While Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala was was heard shouting "this is the most corrupt government in Kerala", the Governor continued his policy speech amid protests, detailing the various policy decisions and achievements of the CPM-led Left government amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The protesting opposition legislators later boycotted the session and staged a sit-in protest inside the assembly complex, raising slogans and displaying banners and posters.
There were Yuva morcha protests outside the Assembly as well after the session.