THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first day of discussion in the 13th Assembly, after a stormy Question Hour and contrary to predictions of a belligerent Opposition, was a relatively solemn affair.Proceedings at times turned noisy, especially towards the end when CPM's E P Jayarajan spoke, but on the whole both sides demonstrated commendable levels of tolerance.New speakers, there were four of them, spoke without being interrupted even once; point of orders, the abuse of which normally consumed much of discussion time, were surprisingly limited; and members on both sides even spoke of the need to work together for the good of the state. It was Congress member and KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, who was speaking in the Assembly after a gap of 23 years, who set the tone."Kerala needs a new model of development and this cannot be achieved by the ruling party alone. Together we should create one," Chennithala said while moving the motion of thanks to the Governor's address on Monday.He also spoke of continuity. "All the good things that the LDF Government had done, we will continue. At the same time, LDF's antipeople policies will be scrapped," he said.But Chennithala wanted the LDF to show some restraint while attacking the government, especially in the manner in which they have opposed the selffinancing policies of the UDF."t seems the LDF is being too premature. Abdu Rabb has done nothing more than what M A Baby has done. Where was the SFI the past five years?," he asked and added: "The UDF should be given a grace period. First you watch what we are doing and if we are doing anything wrong you are well within your right to oppose us."CPM's Kodiyeri Balakrishnan ridiculed Chennithala's request for a grace period.
''We wanted to give them a honeymoon period. But I don't think there was any other government that had done so many things to hurt people in just 41 days,'' Kodiyeri said.
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