KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and excise minister K Babu had dared bar owners in the state to reveal the names of the persons who have received bribes from them. Talking to reporters in Kozhikode, Chandy said that his government is ready for any investigation and challenged the members of the bar association to produce evidence to substantiate their allegations.
“They have been raising accusations. Let them come out with evidence. We are not scared of any kind of investigation” the CM told reporters. “If anyone thinks that they can force government to go back on its decision through cheap tricks, then they are terribly mistaken,” he added.
Persons raising the allegation of bribery also have the responsibility to name the people who have taken the bribe, excise minister K Babu told reporters in Kochi on Friday. “Making a smokescreen of corruption will not be allowed”, he said.
On several ministers coming under the needle of suspicion on the bar issue, Babu said that the government will take strong measures against people indulging in false allegations. “We will not allow attempts to create a smokescreen that all leaders as corrupt and thereby challenge the government”, he said.
The minister denied that he had received bribe in connection with the bar issue. “Nobody had named the excise minister”, he said. Babu also said that political parties receiving donations at the time of elections are a common practice. “All political parties receive donations”, he said.
Denying reports that the government has been trying for compromise with bar owners, Babu declined to comment on the high court verdict in connection with four-star status of 10 bars. The minister said he will respond after studying the verdict.
