Kerala Assembly disrupted for fourth day; Opposition stages walkout over Sabarimala gold-plating row

The Kerala Legislative Assembly witnessed continued uproar on the fourth consecutive day on Thursday (October 9, 2025) as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition intensified its protests over the gold-plating controversy at Sabarimala.

As soon as the Question Hour commenced, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan raised the issue and demanded a public apology from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over certain remarks made in the House a day ago, which were perceived as body-shaming by the Opposition.

Speaker A.N. Shamseer, however, refused to offer any assurances, prompting the Opposition legislators to storm the well of the House, holding placards and banners while shouting slogans. The situation quickly escalated after the Speaker called in the Watch and Ward staff to restore order. Tensions flared when the security personnel attempted to remove the banners held in front of the Speaker’s podium, resulting in a minor scuffle. At least two security personnel were injured in the fracas.

Meanwhile, the Treasury benches adopted an offensive stance, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh accusing the Opposition legislators of attacking a female Watch and Ward staff member. He also charged the Leader of Opposition with “inciting violence and unleashing a group of miscreants.”

Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar, addressing the House, also took aim at the Opposition, accusing it of failing to play a constructive role in addressing the problems plaguing the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

He singled out Kovalam MLA, M. Vincent, who is also the working president of the Congress-affiliated Transport Democratic Federation, for allegedly neglecting the transport needs of his constituency. Claiming that while most legislators from the ruling and the Opposition fronts have contributed to improving local infrastructure using their MLA funds, Mr. Ganesh alleged that the legislator had not made any such contributions.

“Most MLAs have contributed from their funds to renovate bus stations and provide computers. Only one MLA has done nothing. I say with shame that repairs to the Vizhinjam bus station had to be carried out using sponsorship from a hotel owner. He (Mr. Vincent) never once approached the KSRTC to demand the upgrade of the facility, but now he is at the forefront of a protest for mere political gains. He lacks any commitment to either his constituency or the KSRTC, yet he claims to be a union leader,” he said.

Despite the uproar, the Speaker continued the Question Hour session. However, proceedings were suspended briefly shortly after amid the persistent din.

While the House reconvened after nearly 15 minutes later, Mr. Shamseer informed the members that the Chief Marshal of the Assembly had been injured in the scuffle earlier and was hospitalised.

Satheesan slams Speaker

Mr. Satheesan, reiterating the Opposition’s decision not to cooperate with Assembly proceedings, strongly criticised the Speaker for allegedly remaining “a mute spectator” to offensive remarks made by legislators of the ruling front. He also alleged that the Chief Marshal had earlier produced a fake medical certificate claiming a broken hand.

Before leading a walkout, the Leader of the Opposition cautioned that the UDF would intensify its protests both within and outside the Assembly if the State government continued to “shield” those allegedly responsible for the irregularities at Sabarimala.