Kerala CM Defends Mocking UDF MLA in Assembly

Mocking the short stature of the opposition MLA in the state assembly, Vijayan told reporters in New Delhi that he made this statement after witnessing a member trying to attack the guard and the ward with his fragile body.

“He was abusing the protection of being a member of the Assembly to attack the duty and ward staff who should have endured everything silently,” said Vijayan.

Vijayan’s statement that a ‘person resembling a pile of eight-quarter anna (coins)’ tried to attack the legislature staff had drawn criticism from Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, who called it ‘body shaming’.

The Prime Minister said that in old local parlance he was only talking about what he had witnessed in Parliament. “I didn’t mean anyone being short, I meant someone who looked thin,” he said.

Vijayan also clarified that he was not targeting Muslim League MLA Najeem Kanthapuram with his remarks as reported but another member who appeared weak while trying to confront the assembly staff.

Although the Opposition Leader wrote to the Speaker requesting deletion of the CM’s statements made on Wednesday, no action was taken in the matter.

On Thursday, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh had also defended the chief minister in the Assembly and said that he had not mentioned any name in his colloquial speech.