The Kerala Legislative Assembly reconvened after a three-day break, witnessing renewed tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, with the Sabarimala gold heist case taking center stage. Protesters are calling for the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, as two opposition legislators staged a sit-in protest at the Assembly entrance. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan raised concerns about alleged interference by the Chief Minister’s Office in the Special Investigation Team’s work on the case.
The opposition emphasized the seriousness of the institutional breach and declared plans to escalate their protest. They reiterated their demand for the Devaswom Minister’s resignation, attributing political responsibility to him for the controversy. Despite the ongoing agitation, the opposition clarified that it would not disrupt legislative proceedings and pledged cooperation during House sessions.
Amid the protest, legislators Najeeb Kanthapuram and C.R. Mahesh engaged in a symbolic satyagraha, balancing dissent with parliamentary decorum. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rebuffed the opposition’s claims, stating that the protest was misdirected and amounted to a challenge to the High Court rather than the government. He highlighted the High Court’s oversight of the gold heist investigation and criticized any insinuation of interference as detrimental to the judicial process.
The opposition’s unconventional protest continued within the Assembly, featuring a satirical song that briefly disrupted proceedings. This dramatic gesture underscored the increasingly theatrical nature of the standoff, as the Sabarimala gold heist issue once again transformed the Assembly into a stage for high-decibel political drama.
