Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Speaker A.N. Shamseer on Friday announced that the State Budget will be presented on January 29, while the final session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly will begin on January 20. The Governor’s policy address will be delivered on the opening day, and the session is scheduled to run for 32 days.
Addressing queries on allegations against Rahul Mankootathil MLA, the Speaker said that while private complaints have been received, any move to disqualify an MLA must be initiated through a formal complaint filed by another legislator. Such a complaint is required to refer the matter to the Privileges and Ethics Committee. So far, no complaint from any MLA has been submitted, he clarified.
Commenting on the arrest of Rahul Mankootathil in a rape case, Speaker Shamseer said the incident does not undermine the dignity of the Assembly. Using an analogy, he remarked that one rotten mango does not spoil the entire basket. He stressed the need to uphold respect for women and cautioned against generalising the actions of individuals to discredit the entire legislature.
The Speaker added that the public expects responsible conduct and high moral standards from elected representatives, underscoring the importance of preserving the integrity of the House.
