Oppn walks out from Kerala Assembly after Speaker disallows debate

The opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Tuesday boycotted the Kerala Assembly proceedings after Speaker A N Shamseer denied permission for an adjournment motion on the alleged CPI(M) martyr’s fund scam.
The Speaker rejected the adjournment motion notice, stating that the issue did not qualify for consideration under the rules governing adjournment motions. The decision triggered sharp protests from the opposition benches.Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan objected to the ruling, alleging that lakhs of rupees collected from the public in the name of a martyr’s fund had been misappropriated. He claimed that those who protested against the alleged irregularities were manhandled by CPI(M) activists and that the party leader who brought the issue to light was now facing threats.Despite the objections, the Speaker proceeded with the scheduled business of the House. In protest, UDF MLAs entered the well of the Assembly, raised slogans against the government and the ruling CPI(M), and later staged a walkout, boycotting the rest of the proceedings.
The controversy centres on allegations made by CPI(M) local leader V Kunhikrishnan from the party’s stronghold of Kannur. Kunhikrishnan has accused CPI(M)’s Payyannur MLA T I Madhusoodanan of misappropriating around Rs 46 lakh from funds collected to support the family of party martyr C V Dhanarajan, as well as from building and election-related funds.The CPI(M) leadership has denied the allegations and expelled Kunhikrishnan from the party, accusing him of defaming the organisation. However, the issue has sparked political unrest in Payyannur, where Congress and BJP workers who staged protests against the CPI(M) were allegedly manhandled by party workers.
Significantly, several CPI(M) supporters have also come out in support of Kunhikrishnan. He has announced plans to release a book soon, in which he is expected to reveal internal issues within the CPI(M)’s Kannur unit.With Assembly elections approaching in Kerala, the controversy has caused visible discomfort within the ruling party, adding to the political heat inside and outside the legislature.