Suspension of 3 LDF MLAs withdrawn

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 12. The State Assembly today unanimously withdrew the suspension of the three MLAs, Mr. M.V. Jayarajan, Mr. Raju Abraham and Mr. P.S. Supal, for the remaining part of the session. This has ended an impasse which began on October 18 following the alleged ``assault'' of the Transport Minister, Mr. K.B. Ganesh Kumar, and the train of subsequent events.

The stage was set for ending the deadlock when the Opposition came forward to express regrets at the unsavoury incidents which occurred in the House, and the ruling bench rising to the occasion by striking a compromise.

The Opposition agreed to cooperate with the House proceedings, and displayed it during Question Hour by asking questions, while taking some consolation in not asking the customary supplementary.

As soon as the House convened for the day, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan, emphasised the need to break the weeks-long impasse, because of which the three MLAs were unable to perform their functions. The Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, also expressed his desire to resolve the stalemate, setting the mood for the Speaker to convene a meeting of party leaders to formalise the agreement that had been arrived at during talks at various levels.

After the leaders' meeting, Mr. Achuthanandan expressed regrets at the unsavoury developments in the House and offered to cooperate with the Speaker and the Leader of the House in managing the proceedings smoothly. Following this, the Chief Minister, who expressed satisfaction at the turn of events, moved an oral resolution, seeking to withdraw the suspension. A resolution was passed unanimously, though members could hardly conceal the strained ties. Even the references made by the leaders appeared to be mechanical, with each side keen on not upsetting the pact by making tall claims. The three MLAs were solemnly escorted into the House after the resolution was passed, without, of course, the jubilation which marks such events or the customary press conference to explain its position.

The rest of the day's session went off as if nothing had happened at all, which gave enough ground for optimism that the Assembly would not witness such incidents again.

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Section  : Southern States
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