Kerala Oppn MPs protest Union Budget, call it ‘Anti-Kerala Budget’

Opposition Members of Parliament from Kerala staged a protest in Parliament on Monday against the Union Budget 2026, alleging that it was discriminatory towards the state and describing it as an “anti-Kerala Budget”. The protest comes amid growing political friction between the Centre and the state’s Opposition parties over fiscal allocations and policy priorities.

At the same time, political tensions escalated in the Kerala Legislative Assembly following the Speaker’s rejection of an Opposition notice seeking a discussion on alleged violations of the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act. The decision triggered strong objections from Congress leaders, leading to a boycott of the Assembly proceedings by Opposition members, including Congress MLA and Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan.
The Opposition accused the state government of misusing parole provisions and alleged that prisoners, including those linked to serious criminal cases, were being granted parole for political reasons. They contended that the matter warranted an urgent discussion in the House, arguing that it raised serious concerns about law and order and adherence to statutory provisions.The controversy followed the rejection of an adjournment notice moved by UDF MLA K K Rema under Rule 50, which sought suspension of House proceedings to discuss alleged irregularities in granting parole. The notice referred to cases involving CPI(M) convicts sentenced to 20 years in the Payyannur steel bomb attack case and cited allegations that some police officials had accepted bribes to facilitate parole for those convicted in political murder cases.
Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer rejected the notice, stating that the issue did not qualify as one of urgent public importance. He maintained that the matter could be raised through other parliamentary procedures, such as a submission, if required.The decision drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, with V D Satheesan questioning the grounds on which the notice was rejected and arguing that issues related to public safety and law and order could not be treated as non-urgent. He also questioned whether matters uncomfortable for the government would be prevented from being discussed in the Assembly and raised concerns over the purpose of convening the House under such circumstances.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh countered the allegations, stating that granting parole is a routine administrative process and that the most recent parole was approved on January 8, 2026. He noted that the Assembly had met several times since then and argued that the Opposition could have raised the issue earlier if it was genuinely urgent. Rajesh said the government had no objection to the matter being raised as a submission and accused the Opposition of attempting to create disruption without substantive grounds.Following the rejection of the notice, Opposition members moved to the floor of the House holding placards and banners, leading to sustained uproar. Rajesh alleged that the protest was pre-planned, pointing out that banners had been brought into the House despite the Opposition being aware that the adjournment motion was unlikely to be admitted. He also claimed that the protest indirectly benefited the BJP at a time when the Union Budget’s alleged neglect of Kerala was a major political issue.Speaker Shamseer echoed the view that the protest appeared premeditated and said the Leader of the Opposition was aware that the adjournment motion could not be taken up. He described the conduct of the protesting members as improper, reminded legislators that the public was watching the proceedings, and repeatedly urged the Opposition to withdraw the protest and allow the House to function normally.