Gold plating row: CM Pinarayi terms Opposition's assembly protests as 'unprecedented', 'shameful'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has termed the Opposition's protests in the Assembly over the 'missing' gold claddings at the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple as unprecedented and shameful. The Chief Minister's critical remarks came after the Opposition protests disrupted Assembly proceedings for the third straight day on Wednesday. Pinarayi alleged that the Opposition was shying away from a discussion on the issue as they were afraid that the facts would turn against them. He also flayed a section of the Opposition MLAs for attacking the Assembly watch and ward, including women personnel as part of their protests. The Opposition is interpreting our decorum as weakness. This is unacceptable, the Chief Minister said and urged the Speaker to convey his stance clearly to the Opposition. The Chief Minister asked the Opposition what their actual demand was that warranted repeated disruption of Assembly for three days. He said the Opposition could have exercised democratic means to raise the matter in the House. Instead, they chose to block the Speaker's view, which was unprecedented in the Assembly's history. UDF stages protest, uproar disrupts assembly for third day over Sabarimala gold row They tried to create a smoke screen even though the government repeatedly said it was ready to discuss facts. Even a meeting called by the Speaker to resolve the deadlock was boycotted. It's a clear message that they do not want any consensus on the matter, Pinarayi said. The Chief Minister said the government had informed the High Court that it was in favour of a serious investigation on the issue. The High Court then ordered constitution of a Special Investigation Team into the allegations. Now, when the SIT has begun probe, the Opposition is demanding that there should be a CBI inquiry. There is politics behind this demand, he said. Asserting that the LDF government has never protected the gulity, Pinarayi said strict action would be taken if anyone is found to have commited any wrongdoing.