Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly meeting convened on Monday witnessed a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition parties over the ongoing liquor policy controversy that has dogged the Left government for several weeks.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the opposition's demand to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act on allegations regarding "amendments" in the state's liquor policy in the Assembly, a first here after the Lok Sabha elections.
Opposition UDF members raised placards and banners criticizing the CPI(M)-led government over the allegations, then boycotted the House proceedings.
They later demanded registration of a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the resignation of the tourism and excise ministers in connection with the controversy.
For over a month, the Congress has been leveling corruption charges against the Pinarayi Vijayan government over its liquor policy and alleging that it was planning to amend it by taking bribes from bar owners.He raised the issue in the House during Zero Hour on the first day of the session and demanded a discussion on the raging controversy.
However, Excise Minister MB Rajesh rejected the allegations and said that even preliminary discussions have not been held regarding the amendment in the liquor policy.
He said the recent department secretaries' meeting called by the Chief Secretary and the stakeholders' meeting called by the Tourism Director had nothing to do with the liquor policy amendment, as alleged by the UDF.
He also said that the opposition has been making baseless allegations against the government for over a month, citing a policy regarding which the government has not yet initiated preliminary action.
However, Congress MLA Rosie M John, who sought notice for the motion, criticized the government and said that promoting corruption is also a crime, and asked why a case was not registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Although Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan reiterated the same demand, Vijayan intervened and clarified that a police investigation was already underway.
He accused the opposition of giving fabricated arguments and trying to create the impression that something (illegal) was happening in the state.
He said, "As soon as false news related to the state's liquor policy came to light, the state excise minister himself lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police."
He said that the complaint is being investigated and appropriate action will be taken against whatever crime has been committed.
Vijayan asked whether the opposition's attempt was to create hurdles in the ongoing police investigation.However, Satheesan questioned the CM's claim and asked what results could be expected in the police investigation being conducted on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Excise Minister, who is an accused in the alleged scam.
"Therefore, a case should be registered under the Prohibition of Corruption Act on the allegations. The opposition will not compromise on this matter and will vigorously agitate inside and outside the House raising this issue," the LOP said.
Speaker AN Shamseer refused to allow the motion based on the reply of the CM and the Excise Minister.
The agitated opposition stood near the Speaker's podium and raised slogans against the government and showed placards.The UDF later boycotted the House proceedings and walked out raising slogans against the government and demanding the resignation of the excise and tourism ministers.
The issue of the alleged withdrawal of the 'Dry Day' policy (which bans the sale of liquor in the state on the first day of every calendar month) came into controversy when an audio clip purportedly of a bar association member Went. On TV channels, other members were asked to donate money for 'favorable liquor policy'.
The UDF alleged that the Left government demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners to make a policy favorable to them and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Rajesh.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the opposition's demand to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act on allegations regarding "amendments" in the state's liquor policy in the Assembly, a first here after the Lok Sabha elections.
Opposition UDF members raised placards and banners criticizing the CPI(M)-led government over the allegations, then boycotted the House proceedings.
They later demanded registration of a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the resignation of the tourism and excise ministers in connection with the controversy.
For over a month, the Congress has been leveling corruption charges against the Pinarayi Vijayan government over its liquor policy and alleging that it was planning to amend it by taking bribes from bar owners.He raised the issue in the House during Zero Hour on the first day of the session and demanded a discussion on the raging controversy.
However, Excise Minister MB Rajesh rejected the allegations and said that even preliminary discussions have not been held regarding the amendment in the liquor policy.
He said the recent department secretaries' meeting called by the Chief Secretary and the stakeholders' meeting called by the Tourism Director had nothing to do with the liquor policy amendment, as alleged by the UDF.
He also said that the opposition has been making baseless allegations against the government for over a month, citing a policy regarding which the government has not yet initiated preliminary action.
However, Congress MLA Rosie M John, who sought notice for the motion, criticized the government and said that promoting corruption is also a crime, and asked why a case was not registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Although Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan reiterated the same demand, Vijayan intervened and clarified that a police investigation was already underway.
He accused the opposition of giving fabricated arguments and trying to create the impression that something (illegal) was happening in the state.
He said, "As soon as false news related to the state's liquor policy came to light, the state excise minister himself lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police."
He said that the complaint is being investigated and appropriate action will be taken against whatever crime has been committed.
Vijayan asked whether the opposition's attempt was to create hurdles in the ongoing police investigation.However, Satheesan questioned the CM's claim and asked what results could be expected in the police investigation being conducted on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Excise Minister, who is an accused in the alleged scam.
"Therefore, a case should be registered under the Prohibition of Corruption Act on the allegations. The opposition will not compromise on this matter and will vigorously agitate inside and outside the House raising this issue," the LOP said.
Speaker AN Shamseer refused to allow the motion based on the reply of the CM and the Excise Minister.
The agitated opposition stood near the Speaker's podium and raised slogans against the government and showed placards.The UDF later boycotted the House proceedings and walked out raising slogans against the government and demanding the resignation of the excise and tourism ministers.
The issue of the alleged withdrawal of the 'Dry Day' policy (which bans the sale of liquor in the state on the first day of every calendar month) came into controversy when an audio clip purportedly of a bar association member Went. On TV channels, other members were asked to donate money for 'favorable liquor policy'.
The UDF alleged that the Left government demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners to make a policy favorable to them and demanded the resignation of Excise Minister Rajesh.
