Kerala Assembly Turmoil: Three Opposition MLAs Suspended

October 9, 2025

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed dramatic scenes as Speaker A.N. Shamseer suspended three Congress MLAs — Roji M. John, M. Vincent, and Saneesh Kumar — after a heated confrontation left the Chief Marshal injured.

The suspension was recommended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh, who accused the opposition of serious violations of Assembly discipline.

Protest Over CM’s Remarks and Idol Controversy

The clash erupted during opposition protests over Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s body-shaming remarks against a Congress MLA and the controversial sale of the Sabarimala gold-plated Dwarapalaka idol.

Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan alleged that ministers and ruling MLAs made unparliamentary remarks while the Speaker remained silent. He also claimed that watch-and-ward personnel were deployed to intimidate opposition members.

Opposition Demands and Slogans

Satheesan said the protest was peaceful and demanded the resignation of Minister V.N. Vasavan and removal of Devaswom Board members. He also called for strict action against those involved in the idol theft and sale.

Opposition MLAs later stormed into the House with banners reading “LDF’s Alchemy Turned Ayyappa’s Gold into Copper”, sparking fresh tensions.

As marshals attempted to seize the banners, verbal clashes broke out between the ruling and opposition benches. Watch-and-ward staff blocked opposition MLAs from reaching the Speaker’s dais, prompting a brief suspension of proceedings.

Though the House reconvened later, the opposition boycotted the rest of the session.

Background to the Row

The turmoil follows CM Vijayan’s controversial remark mocking an opposition MLA’s short stature, which the Congress alleged was an attempt to humiliate and justify the use of force by watch-and-ward staff, including a female marshal.

The suspension of the three MLAs marks a new flashpoint in the escalating political tensions within the Kerala Assembly.