Governor urged to convene Assembly

The opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala yesterday petitioned the governor to convene the State Assembly to take up a no-confidence vote against Speaker Vakkom Purusho-thaman.

The LDF, led by Communist Party of India Marxist (CPM) leader V.S. Achuth-anandan, met Governor Sikander Bakht yesterday morning and handed over their plea to convene the Assembly to discuss the issue of removing the speaker.

The meeting took place just before noon, and coincided with Chief Minister A.K. Antony's meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi to discuss party matters, particularly those in Kerala.

After the LDF meeting with the governor, which lasted about 20 minutes, Achuthanandan said the governor had told him that every member of the Assembly had a right to request the convening of the Assembly. The opposition leader said the governor had assured him that he would do the needful.

The opposition is demanding the removal of the speaker, accusing that he has been indulging in political activity unbecoming of the speaker's role.

After the LDF leaders met the governor, Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman told reporters that he did not foresee any problem.

"I have nothing to say on the matter. It is their right to hand in such a petition. My majority and the government's majority will be proved when the Assembly session is held," the Speaker said.

He said it was up to the government to first decide when the Assembly should be convened.

Reports from Delhi said Chief Minister A.K. Antony foresaw no problems for the government, and repeated his stand that the CPM was trying to destabilise the Congress. He said the govt would decide at the next Cabinet meeting, on November 12 when Assembly should be convened.