Thiruvananthapuram: The second session of the 16th state legislative assembly will begin on Monday, with key legislation on the agenda and a series of political controversies expected to trigger heated exchanges between the ruling and opposition fronts.The nine-day session, scheduled for Oct 12 to 16 and Oct 26 to 29, comes amid mounting political tensions over the CMRL controversy, alleged lapses in the health sector, medicine shortages, power-related issues and protests against govt. The House will also mark its transition to a fully digital system.Govt plans to introduce bills on unified universities, senior citizens’ welfare and sports. The proposed unified university bill is expected to retain the governor’s powers in university administration while making changes to the panel for appointing vice-chancellors. The proposal reportedly envisages replacing a Senate representative on the panel with a syndicate member.A new sports bill is also on the agenda, marking a major revision of the state’s sports legislation after 25 years. The proposed law seeks to provide legal protection to sportspersons and establish a sports tribunal headed by a high court judge. A bill focusing on the welfare of senior citizens is another key legislative initiative expected to come up.The opposition is likely to target the V D Satheesan govt, which has completed 100 days in office, over alleged irregularities and administrative shortcomings. Issues likely to figure in the debates include sponsored air travel, ministers’ foreign visits, medicine shortages, alleged lapses in the health sector and the power situation.The ruling front is expected to counter the opposition’s campaign by raising allegations against its leaders, including the possibility of a vigilance probe against the opposition leader. Political controversies surrounding the FIR against former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the monthly payment case are also expected to add to the tension during the session.Meanwhile, BJP has announced a protest outside the assembly on Monday, demanding the resignation of chief minister V D Satheesan under the slogan “illegal chief minister”. The party has also threatened sustained protests over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, seeking to corner Congress over its campaign against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.BJP has alleged that if the SIR process was used to manipulate election results, the CM should also resign.LDF too is preparing protests outside the assembly, including a march led by the CPI on Oct 13. The opposition is also expected to raise reported differences within the ruling front over the post of deputy opposition leader, particularly the alleged discontent within the CPI.With the ruling and opposition fronts preparing for confrontations both inside and outside the House, the session is expected to see intense political sparring alongside debates on the govt’s legislative agenda.
