The Kerala Assembly witnessed pandemonium and ugly scenes as Finance Minister K M Mani, who is facing allegations in the bar bribery issue, presented the state budget amidst stiff resistance by LDF-led Opposition who tried all means to thwart his attempt. CPI (M)-led LDF having announced that they will go to any extent to prevent Mani from presenting the budget and the Assembly has witnessed a tumultuous day but the scenes that played out today morning were unprecedented.

LDF had declared that all roads leading to the Assembly would be blocked and the finance minister K M Mani and some of his colleagues stayed back in the Assembly complex since yesterday's session. Members of LDF-led opposition, who were stressing their demand for resignation of FM over the bar bribery issue, also stayed back in the Assembly after yesterday's session and sat in the well of the House since morning. Opposition MLAs, including senior leaders and women members, were adamant in their stand that they will not allow the "tainted" minister to present the budget.

Opposition has laid siege at the entrance of the Assembly hall to prevent Mani from entering the assembly hall. But, Mani managed to enter the Assembly, amidst mayhem, through the back door and read out some excerpts of the budget in the guard of watch and wards and tabled it before the House.

By Premji