Chennithala’s dosa statement: Speaker stays away in protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A rare incident was witnessed in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday.  The assembly which has witnessed protests by the ruling and opposition members, for the first time saw the protest of the speaker. He stayed away without attending the assembly procedures. Though he came to the office, he did not turn up. He stayed away from controlling the assembly procedures in protest against the statement of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala. The speaker got irritated at Chennithala’s statement that bills cannot be passed as easy as making a dosa. The assembly was controlled by deputy speaker Palode Ravi in the absence of the Speaker. Such an incident has not been witnessed in the Kerala Legislative Assembly before.

The dramatic incidents were witnessed yesterday soon after Chennithala opposed the speaker’s order asking to make short the discussion on the bills. The speaker intervened during the discussion on pravasi welfare bill. N A Nellikkunnu spoke for a long time on the bill presented by Minister K C Joseph. In the meanwhile, the speaker asked to cut short the discussions. Soon Chennithala intervened and said the bill cannot be passed as easy as making a dosa. The minister soon said that if there is no time it should be postponed as a detailed discussion is needed. The speaker then said that he asked to speed up the discussion for you (ministers) to meet the Prime Minister. Soon Chennithala said postpone the discussion and this annoyed the speaker.  Following that, the speaker kept mum without intervening in the discussion.

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