Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 10 (PTI): Finance minister K.M. Mani does not have to resign even though the high court has asked for further investigation of charges that he had taken a bribe from the liquor lobby to renew licences of over 400 bars, Mani’s party, the Kerala Congress (M), said Tuesday.
Party leader Thomas Unniyadan, who is also the government chief whip, claimed that the Kerala high court’s order on Monday was not against Mani but in his favour as it had expunged the vigilance court observations against the minister.
“There is not even a word against Mani in the verdict. Why should he resign? The high court verdict is favouring the minister. Has the court said anywhere that Mani was guilty?” he told reporters here.
He said the media had interpreted the verdict incorrectly.
The case against Mani was filed after the working president of the Kerala State Bar Hotel Owners’ Association, Biju Ramesh, accused the minister of having taken Rs 1 crore to renew the licences of 400-plus bars dispensing IMFL or India-made foreign liquor.
Asked if the party, a member of the ruling United Democratic Front, was divided over the issue, Unniyadan said it was united and “solidly” behind its leader.
According to reports, a section of the party, led by Irrigation Minister P.J. Joseph and lawmakers T.U. Kuruvilla and Mons Joseph feel that Mani should step down.
Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty, leader of Indian Union Muslim League, another key ally of the Congress-led UDF, said leaders met on Tuesday at the residence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and discussed the issue.
The Congress mouthpiece 'Veekshanam', in a hard- hitting editorial on Tuesday, said Mani's resignation was ”inevitable”.
The UDF, which has to gear up for assembly elections next year, has been pushed into another crisis by Mani’s refusal to step down. Monday’s comments by the high court came just two days after the Left Democratic Front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) made big inroads in elections to the three-tier rural bodies.
On Tuesday, the LDF decided to intensify its agitation to put pressure on Mani to resign.
