Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Wednesday staged a walkout from the Kerala Assembly in protest against the denial of an adjournment motion by the Speaker for discussion on the controversial Life Mission scam.
Seeking the leave of the house to move the adjournment motion on the issue, Congress MLA Anil Akkara alleged that a few top officials in the Chief Minister's office were involved in a conspiracy in this regard and Swapna Suresh, a key accused in the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case, has received Rs one crore as Commission in the Life Mission Housing project.
In his reply, Minister for Local Self Government AC Moideen said the Opposition was involved in a planned attempt to defame the Life Mission housing project aiming to provide 140 houses to poor people with the support of UAE Red Crescent.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the High Court allowed the CBI to probe the alleged violation of Provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act related to the Life Mission scam case after the premier investigating agency filed a First Information Report (FIR), by dismissing the State Government's plea to reject the FIR.
The FCRA rules were also violated by the officials of the Life Mission Housing Projejct, he added.However, Mr Moideen claimed that the HC Order was not against the government and the political leadership has not been involved in the case.Following the Minister's reply, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan denied permission to move the adjournment motion.Later, in protest against the government's stand on the issue, the Opposition members staged a walkout from the house.(UNI)
