Congress to contest Aruvikkara assembly seat

Thiruvananthapuram: Setting to rest all speculations, ruling UDF Wednesday decided that front's lead partner, Congress, will contest the by-election to Aruvikkara Assembly seat which fell vacant following the demise of G Karthikeyan.

"The Congress will contest the Aruvikkara seat which fell vacant following the death of former Speaker G Karthikeyan', UDF convenor P P Thankachan told reporters here after a UDF meeting.

It was also decided to entrust Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to select a candidate for the Deputy Speaker's post, he said.

Following elevation of N Sakthan as Speaker, the post of Deputy Speaker has fallen vacant.

RSP, a minor coalition partner of UDF, had staked claim for the seat and that of Deputy Speaker's post yesterday.

UDF also decided to convene meetings in all districts to explain to the people the happenings on budget day on Mar 13 when violence broke out in the house. While in Kozhikode and Kottayam, the meetings would be held on Mar 21, in Ernakulam it will be on Mar 24 and in remaining districts on Mar 26.

Thankachan said the ruckus in the assembly on Mar 13 during budget presentation had brought disrepute to the state, which was in the forefront in the cultural front.

He said Kerala stands out in the cultural field in the country and it was the responsibility of the people's representatives to maintain it. However, bringing disgrace to the state, the members had unleashed violence. The Speaker was blocked from entering the house and his dias was vandalised. both incidents were unheard of in the country, he said.