India, June 25 -- Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan traded sharp political jibes in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday, with the CM defending his elevation to the top post and taking a swipe at the CPI(M)'s internal dynamics.

Replying to the three-day debate on the Budget, Satheesan dismissed opposition criticism over his selection as chief minister, saying leadership choices were a normal part of democratic politics. "We are a democratic party, and such things do happen. These are normal occurrences in democratic political parties. There are many capable people in the party-indeed, many who may be more deserving than I am. I happened to be chosen for this position, and that is all," he said. Turning...