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The Kerala assembly witnessed acrimonious scenes on Wednesday with the ruling and opposition members coming to blows over the conviction of State Electricity Minister TK Balan.
 
After the speaker denied permission for an adjournment motion the angry members from both sides rushed to the well of the House and came near to blows forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House. The watch and ward staff had a tough time in pacifying them. 
 
The other day a lower court had sentenced the minister for two-years imprisonment for disrupting train services during a protest in 2000. Demanding the resignation of the minister Congress member VD Satheesan has moved an adjournment motion.
 
But in his reply Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan said the case was relating to a mass agitation and it should not be compared with corruption cases. He took a strong exception to court issuing an arrest warrant against the minister for not appearing in person before the court.
 
The Chief Minister claimed the court was informed about the inability to appear due to the ongoing session. Following the CM’s reply the Speaker rejected the motion plunging the House in turmoil. A scuffle ensued between CPM member Saju Paul and KK Shaju (JSS) and senior members were seen pacifying them. Shaju later filed a complaint with the Speaker alleging that CPM members tried to attack him.
 
Terming the incident a dark chapter of Kerala’s legislative history Opposition leader Oommen Chandy decried the ruling members’ behavior and asked the Speaker to take appropriate action after viewing the video footage of the proceedings. "It is a sad day for the state. Whoever is found guilty should be punished immediately," he said.
 
The Power Minister was in the eye of the storm recently for his "ungodly remarks" against Hindu Gods. The Opposition had declared a boycott of the minister demanding an apology from him.
 
Meanwhile the Palakkad district court has stayed verdict of the sessions court convicting the Minister, CPM MP Ajay Kumar and TK Chandran MLA.