Kerala Speaker A.N. Shamseer rules that the UDF’s notice under Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Assembly lacked the gravity or urgency warranting an adjournment debate.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition disrupted Kerala Legislative Assembly proceedings on Tuesday (September 30, 2025) after Speaker A.N. Shamseer refused to consider the Opposition’s notice for an adjournment debate about the government’s “failure to prosecute” a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson who aired “death threats against Rahul Gandhi” on live television on September 26.
Mr. Shamseer ruled that the UDF’s notice under Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Assembly singularly lacked the gravity or urgency warranting an adjournment debate.
“A disagreeable remark in the course of a television debate does not meet the requirements of an adjournment debate or a Rule 50 notice. If required, the Opposition could raise the matter as a submission in the House later”, he said.
Mr. Shamseer’s pronouncement triggered an uproar in the Opposition Bench. Apparently provoked, UDF members trooped into the well of the House, shouted slogans against the government and raised banners accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of “shielding criminals and would-be assassins”.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan dared the Treasury Bench to state that they considered the “death threat” against Mr. Gandhi a non-issue. “The Opposition records its strong protest against the government’s attempt to make light of the threat to shoot Mr. Gandhi dead,” he said.
Satheesan alleges CPI(M)-BJP nexus
Later, leading UDF legislators out of the Assembly premises after boycotting the House, Mr. Satheesan said the police had raided houses and arrested persons for criticising Mr. Vijayan.
He accused Mr. Vijayan of being hesitant to bring offenders aligned with the BJP to book. “The government’s dismissive attitude to threats against Rahul Gandhi is the latest manifestation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-BJP nexus in Kerala”, he added.
Rajeeve flags delay in raising matter
Law Minister P. Rajeeve accused the Congress of “belatedly waking up” to the verbal threats against Mr. Gandhi.
“The threat by a BJP commentator on a television channel went viral on September 26. The Kerala Police registered a case on September 28, following due process, which included the collection of digital evidence on record. The UDF became aware of the issue only on September 30. The Opposition could have raised the incident in the Assembly soon after. They could have protested against the threat on the streets. There was not even a whimper of objection from the Congress,” he stated.
Mr. Rajeeve said former Chief Minister A.K. Antony was constrained to hold a press conference to make his stance clear after the Congress failed to defend the party veteran in the House (over the police action at Sivagiri Madhom in 1996).
“Mr. Gandhi could perhaps take a cue from Mr. Antony and hold a press conference to highlight the subject at the national level in New Delhi”, he added.
Published – September 30, 2025 12:22 pm IST
