Thiruvananthapuram:
The Kerala Legislative Assembly, which has witnessed even violent confrontations and scuffles in the past, yesterday stood witness to a proud moment. Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan became a model for parliamentary tradition by admitting a mistake he made in his speech, withdrawing it, and apologizing. The Speaker and members across party lines applauded the Opposition Leader.
The issue stemmed from Satheesan’s remark the other day that Minister G. R. Anil was “telling lies.” The remark was made during Thursday’s discussion on an adjournment motion moved by Congress MLA P. C. Vishnunath regarding rising prices. Minister Anil pointed out that Satheesan himself, in a speech inaugurating the Onam market at Paravur, had praised the government’s measures to control inflation. Satheesan denied having made such a speech, claiming he had only lit the ceremonial lamp, and insisted that the minister was lying. The minister countered by saying he had the video clip of Satheesan’s speech and could share it if required.
Yesterday, Minister Anil raised the matter again, demanding that the video of Satheesan speaking at Paravur be presented and included in the Assembly records. Since the Opposition had staged a walkout, they were not in the House at the time. When Satheesan returned a little later, he withdrew his remark and offered an apology, also requesting the Speaker to remove the remark from the record.
"Not a single word of mine should cause harm to future generations."
— (What the Opposition Leader said in the Assembly yesterday)
“I did speak briefly—just for a minute—while inaugurating the Onam market. But it was not to praise the government; it was only about the relevance of Supplyco. It was an error of memory. In the heat of the moment, I said the minister was lying. The word ‘lie’ is unparliamentary; instead, I should have said ‘factually incorrect,’ as pointed out to me by Mathew T. Thomas. I have been a member of the Assembly for 24 years, and never before has a single word of mine had to be removed from the records. I have now written to the Speaker requesting that the word ‘lie’ be removed from the records. I don’t want even a single word of mine to harm future generations. I sincerely apologize to the minister and to the Assembly.”
Satheesan’s words were greeted with applause in the House.
“An Exemplary Model”
Speaker A. N. Shamseer said the Opposition Leader’s correction was an exemplary model. The important thing, he added, is not what is said in a moment of provocation, but the willingness to correct it.
