Thiruvananthapuram | The ruling Congress-led UDF and the opposition LDF on Wednesday engaged in a war of words in the Keralam Assembly, blaming each other for the ongoing power crisis in the state.

The exchange followed a notice moved by LDF MLAs, including G R Anil, seeking adjournment of the House proceedings for the day to discuss the issue of power cuts in the state.

Permission for the notice was denied by Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan after Chief Minister V D Satheesan and state Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said the state government has taken successful steps to address the crisis and will continue its efforts to ensure short-term and long-term power availability in Keralam.

Satheesan also assured the House that the state will have a proper power policy and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will be strengthened and will continue to function as a public sector enterprise.

Aggrieved over the denial of permission, the LDF opposition, lead by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, staged a walkout.