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KERALA’S Congress Party-led government was accused of “unleashing an unprecedented storm of violence” inside and outside the Indian state’s Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Mass protests had been organised by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and its allies over Finance Minister Karingozhakkal Mani Mani’s right to deliver a 2015-16 budget while facing serious corruption allegations.
Mr Mani stands accused by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau of taking bribes to renew liquor licences.
Assembly members of the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front sat in the chamber overnight in a bid to prevent the minister from issuing his budget, but came under attack from Congress Party LAMs.
In the “ensuing commotion” 20 members for the left-wing coalition were injured and needed hospital treatment, including some women, the CPI-M’s Keralan leader Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan said.
The Congress Party-led United Democratic Front (UDF) accused Mr Achuthanandan of being responsible for the unrest.
But the 91-year-old veteran, a founder member of the CPI-M, hit back at UDF members for “manhandling” five female opposition LAMs and poured scorn on their celebrations after Mr Mani — flanked by guards — managed to complete the shortest budget speech in Keralan history at 11 minutes.
Ruling coalition LAMs distributed ball-shaped laddu sweets among themselves and waved them jeeringly at the communists in triumph.
But the minister had not followed proper procedure, Mr Achuthanandan said. “We will not accept this budget.”
Thousands of communists also protested outside the assembly, where police responded with tear gas and baton charges.
