Opposition accused CM Pinarayi Vijayan of pressuring private medical colleges to charge high fees (File)
The Kerala Assembly was adjourned today after Congress-led opposition leaders continued their protests inside the assembly over a hike in the fees of self-financing medical colleges. The opposition has threatened to continue its protests and will now hold 'janakiya sadas' or public meetings over the issue in all districts of the state on October 15 and 16.
"We are not ending our agitation instead we will continue to intensify our protests. Future course of action will be decided at the parliamentary meeting on October 17," opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said.
He also blamed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's alleged stubbornness for failed talks with the government on the issue on Tuesday. The United Democratic Fund (UDF) disrupted proceedings in the assembly and directly attacked Mr Vijayan before the speaker adjourned proceedings till October 17.
The chief minister has however rejected charges that he was not keen to end the agitation. Mr Vijayan said that the government had its limitations but was prepared to hold talks with the management of medical colleges to try and reduce fees.
"Representatives of the management said they were not ready to go back from the agreement," he said.
Former chief minister Oommen Chandy accused the government of doing the opposite. He said private colleges were being pressured to not change fees.
Meanwhile, Congress youth activists and BJP's youth wing took out separate protest marches in front of the secretariat demanding rollback of the fee hike. Police used water cannons and batons to drive away the activists.