Opposition raises gold theft in assembly, what is special about Tantri, the accused, asks Minister M B Rajesh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition staged protests raising the Sabarimala gold theft in the assembly today. The opposition raised the issue and trooped to the well of the house and protested. When the house proceedings began, the opposition raised the issue. In the absence of opposition leader V D Satheesan, K Babu MLA raised the issue.

Babu said two opposition MLAs are staging a satyagraha in front of the house demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan and that there will be a protest inside the house expressing their support for them. He clarified that they cannot cooperate with the house proceedings.

Minister M B Rajesh asked during the question hour what is special about Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru, the accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Rajesh asked if the Muslim League is waiting to make lemon juice for the BJP and how many of the Congressmen sitting here will be in the Congress tomorrow. The minister mocked the UDF's stand that all stealing gold should be brought before the law except them.

Meantime, Law Minister P Rajeev said that K Babu's response was against the high court. He added that the investigation in the Sabarimala gold theft is being conducted under the supervision of the high court and the government has no opinion on whether the Tantri is an accused or not. The government is not getting the investigation report. He clarified that the opposition is protesting for political reasons even though the high court has said that the investigation is being conducted properly. The opposition then protested, raised slogans and walked out of the house.