When the Kerala Legislative Assembly reconvened after a short break, the Congress-led Opposition resumed their protest, focusing on the alleged gold theft at Sabarimala. With Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan absent, Deputy Leader K. Babu led the protest. The Opposition highlighted the bail granted to the accused in the gold theft case and supported the claims of the temple’s chief priest.
The Opposition contended that the chief priest was arrested for not cooperating in what they viewed as a breach of temple customs. Expressing dissatisfaction with the situation, they boycotted the Assembly proceedings. Opposition members gathered in the Well of the House, chanting slogans and disrupting the early session. Speaker A.N. Shamseer swiftly addressed the day’s agenda and adjourned the House for the day.
Outside the Assembly, senior legislator Ramesh Chennithala criticized the Pinarayi Vijayan government for its alleged indifference, accusing it of facilitating bail for the accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. He claimed that delays in filing the chargesheet and obtaining prosecution sanction were enabling the accused to secure bail. Responding on behalf of the government, Law Minister P. Rajeev defended the government’s role in the investigation, emphasizing that the High Court oversaw the probe.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh questioned the special treatment accorded to the chief priest and accused the Congress and BJP of supporting him for political reasons. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal suggested that the Congress was concerned about the SIT probe reaching higher levels, triggering further unrest. Amid heated exchanges, ruling members displayed posters featuring an image of “Sonia and prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti.” Despite the commotion, the Speaker proceeded with Question Hour, leading to the entire Opposition walking out of the House.
As the Assembly elections approach, there are indications that the ongoing session, originally planned until the third week of March, may be cut short, possibly concluding with a customary photo session on Tuesday.
