New Delhi: March 13, 2008 - The political killings in the Kannur district of Kerala disrupted proceedings in Parliament for the third consecutive day on Wednesday with the Bharatiya Janata Party taking the offensive this time. Citing the Kerala High Court’s observation that Central intervention was needed to end the cycle of violence in Kannur, the BJP demanded the dismissal of the State government.

The matter was raised in the Lok Sabha at the start of the day’s proceedings, resulting in a verbal duel between the BJP and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Reprimanding the members for their behaviour and murdering democracy, the Speaker adjourned the House within minutes for two hours.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed a short adjournment as the Chair refused to allow M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) to raise the issue after question hour. When the House met again, Mr. Naidu accused the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala of targeting non-Marxist parties. Quoting the court observation, he urged the government to immediately rush Central forces to the State.

Earlier in the morning, BJP members staged a dharna in the Parliament complex, demanding the dismissal of the Kerala government. Holding placards, they said the court observation was an indictment and the State government had lost the moral authority to rule.  More