Thiruvananthapuram, June 03: A ruling UDF MLA has complained to Chief Minister A K Antony that the minister for welfare of backward and scheduled communities M A Kuttappan "tried to assault him" at the minister's chamber, a charge denied by the minister. Kuttappan told a news agency that it was JSS MLA K K Shaju who had "intimidated" him and "hurled abuse" during a meeting between them yesterday.

Shaju, representing Pandalam constituency, alleged that the minister "tried to beat him up" when he went to the minister's chamber to explain the circumstances leading to the disruption of a function organised in connection with the distribution of land to tribals at Charummoodu on May 30 attended by Kuttappan.

Shaju said he met the minister as advised by his party leader and agriculture minister, K R Gowri as Kuttapan had complained to Gowri that Shaju was responsible for the fiasco at the meeting.

Kuttappan, a Congress minister, also alleged that Shaju had a role in disrupting the function as he was denied the presidential chair. As there were two ministers present at the meeting, the protocol provided that one minister presided and Shaju was given the chance for felicitation.

Kuttappan said he had brought the matter to the notice of chief minister and UDF convenor Oommen Chandy.

Bureau Report