LDF begins action to oust Speaker

The pressure on the A.K. Antony government intensified through a different route yesterday, with the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) giving notice for removal of Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman from the post.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislature party deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan delivered the notice to the Legislature Department special duty officer R. Babu. Justifying the notice, Balakrishnan said the Speaker had misused his office and indulged in politicking.

The event was marked by some commotion at the gate of the Assembly, where the watch and ward staff refused permission to journalists. Only after intervention by Balakrishnan himself and senior legislature officials were the mediapersons allowed to enter the Assembly.

Speaking to media persons at the Press Club as part of the `Capital debate' programme, Balakrishnan said the Speaker had indulged in politicking, especially during the Ernakulam by-election held last month and that he had proof for it. He said the proof would be provided in the Assembly when its session begins.