Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, V.D. Satheesan, has written to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly requesting the removal of derogatory remarks and accusations made by State Ministers against former Congress president Sonia Gandhi from the official records. Satheesan criticized the conduct of the Ministers, stating that it breached parliamentary propriety and violated established rules and conventions of Assembly proceedings.
During the Sixteenth Session of the Fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly, Opposition members protested on the House floor, demanding the resignation of the Devaswom Minister over the Sabarimala gold theft case. Satheesan highlighted that three Cabinet Ministers – M.B. Rajesh, V. Sivankutty, and Veena George – allegedly made derogatory remarks and leveled accusations against Sonia Gandhi, emphasizing that such actions contravene Rule 285 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.
Referring to past rulings, Satheesan emphasized the need for responsible allegations supported by evidence in the Assembly. He pointed out that Sonia Gandhi, not being a member of the Kerala Assembly, should not have been linked to the Sabarimala gold theft without prior notice or evidence. Satheesan invoked Rule 307, urging the Speaker to expunge the remarks, halt their telecast, and instruct Ministers to avoid such violations in the future.
