The Kerala Assembly was on Monday adjourned sine die amidst the Opposition's protest, demanding action against the ruling UDF legislators who had insulted few LDF women members in the House during the budget day ruckus in the House on March 13. Earlier in the day, the women legislators and Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan met Kerala Governor P Sathasivam, seeking to initiate criminal proceedings against the UDF MLAs. Besides, another complaint was submitted to the state DGP, alleging that the male MLAs tried to sexually insult the women legislators during the mayhem. Achuthanandan said he requested the Governor to take action against the MLAs who allegedly insulted the MLAs inside and outside the House. [related-post] Meanwhile, taking the battle over bar bribery scandal to the streets, CPI (M)-led Opposition decided to prevent Finance Minister K M Mani from attending public functions. When the day’s session began, the Opposition demanded that action be taken against the ruling front legislators for insulting their women colleagues and the suspension of five LDF legislators in connection with budget day ruckus be revoked. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy justified the suspension of the LDF legislators, but opposed the demand for action against the ruling front MLAs. Subsequently, the Opposition stormed into the well of the House. As the commotion continued, the Speaker cancelled the proceedings, but the House passed the vote-on-account and the finance bill without any discussion. As per the original schedule, the House was slated to meet until April 9. But, the House passed the resolution of Chandy to adjourn the Assembly sine die. The five suspended legislators did not come to the House, but sat outside raising slogans. Later in the day, the LDF women legislators complained to police that they were sexually insulted by the male members of the ruling front. They also met the governor seeking action against the UDF MLAs. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan deplored Chandy’s statement that women legislators were used as hit squads. "When the Congress wants Priyanka Gandhi to take active role in that party, how the women legislators could be termed as killer squads?" asked VS.
