The Kerala Assembly was adjourned for the day following heated protests by opposition UDF members over ruling CPI(M) MLA MM Mani’s controversial remarks against RMP MLA KK Rema as she turned widow as it was her fate. As the Question Hour session began, Congress-led UDF members raised the issue alleging that Mani had insulted womanhood and hence should withdraw his statement and apologize on the floor of the House.
They also raised placards and a banner which read, “MM Mani who has insulted womanhood, should resign”. However, Law Minister P Rajeev said Mani meant that the ruling CPI(M) had no role in the murder of Rema’s husband TP Chandrasekaran, a rebel leader.
Leader of Opposition VD Satisan reiterated that Mani’s statement was “anti-women” and was surprised to see that the ruling bench, including the chief minister, had justified her. When Speaker MB Rajesh tried to start the Question Hour, the opposition members continued their protest, forcing them to adjourn the House for the day.
The UDF members later staged a walkout from the House and staged a dharna at the entrance of the hall before exiting the premises. Rema’s husband, TP Chandrasekaran – a CPI(M) rebel – was assassinated in May 2012 when he formed a parallel left-wing organization called the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) in his home region Onchiyam in northern Kerala.
Mani, while participating in the House’s discussion on the request for funds by the police on Thursday, pointed to Rema saying that a “mahati” (great man), who spoke against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the LDF, became a widow and It was his luck. “We (Left Front) are not responsible for this.
The statement invited anger from the opposition which raised the issue of order and demanded that he withdraw his remarks and apologize for the same.
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