The Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to set aside the physical swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Left Democratic Government scheduled to be held on May 20 with 500 people in attendance, reports LiveLaw. The court was hearing two PILs against the decision to hold a physical swearing-in ceremony.
"Though states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with more number of Legislators in the Assembly, have performed the swearing-in ceremony with lesser number, Government of Kerala, a forerunner in Covid-19 management, should restrict the number to the maximum to avoid the widespread COVID-19," the bench composed of Chief Justice Sand Justice Shaji P Chaly said.
The court stressed that COVID protocol must be strictly adhered to and relatives and spouses of MLAs be avoided. The decision of whether MLAs must be present shall rest on political parties.