UDF demands Kerala health minister's resignation

Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said Shylaja had no right to continue in the cabinet.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22: Protests erupted in Kerala assembly on Tuesday after the Congress-led UDF demanded the resignation of Health and Social Welfare Minister K K Shylaja for alleged misuse of power.

The opposition sought to raise the issue of Kerala High Court's criticism made in connection with admissions in self-financing medical colleges in the state by way of an adjournment motion. They started protesting when Shylaja began replying to the the notice for the motion and wanted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to speak on the issue saying they have decided to boycott the Health Minister in the House.

The Question Hour also witnessed similar protest by the opposition members when Shylaja stood up to answer. Yesterday, the UDF had attacked the health minister over the strictures passed against her by the court while quashing the appointment of two members, including a CPI-M leader, to the Kerala State Commission For Protection Of Child Rights.

Meanwhile, UDF MLAs V P Sajeendran, N Shamsuddin, Roji M John, Eldose Kunnappally and T V Ibrahim continued their 'satyagrah' for the second day today demanding Shylaja's resignation.

Talking to reporters, Leader of the Opposition in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala said Shylaja had no right to continue in the cabinet. He alleged she had also messed up with the medical admissions in self-financing colleges.

Five legislators of the Congress-led opposition in the Kerala Assembly on Monday began an indefinite fast in the the House demanding sacking of health minister K.K. Shailaja.

PTI