The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the controversial Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill, despite strong objections over the same by Congress-UDF.

The said bill seeks to make the executive the appellate authority over reports by the Lok Ayukta. Notably, Congress-UDF boycotted the proceedings before the voting.

Leader of opposition (LoP) V D Satheesan, while announcing the boycott, called it a 'black day' in the history of the Kerala Assembly.

"The opposition cannot support the attempt made by the government to eliminate and weaken an anti-corruption agency. We are registering our stern opposition against passing this bill...we will fight it tooth and nail," he said.

The opposition further asked that now that the Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill is passed, how could the Assembly take a decision on a verdict by the Lok Ayukta against the Chief Minister in a case?

Earlier, Congress legislators Ramesh Chennithala and P C Vishnunath said that adding new amendments to the Bill, was in violation of the rules but Speaker M B Rajesh rejected it and gave a ruling on the matter.

The Bill was sent to the subject committee despite the opposition's strong objection to its introduction of the bill.

Law Minister P Rajeeve also refuted the claims of the opposition arguing that the subject committee had the power to bring amendments to the bill.

Image courtesy: ANI