THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF state leadership meeting on Monday decided to organise a march to the Assembly on December 15 demanding Finance Minister K.M. Mani’s resignation in the bar bribe case.
LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan told reporters that workers from Thiruvananthapuram would take part in the march. The Opposition would intensify its protest within and outside the Assembly.
“We have already approached the High Court. We are for a court-monitored probe by a team led by officers with impeccable integrity. Moreover, we have also given a complaint to the Vigilance Director on the delay in registering an FIR against Mani,” he said.
He said Mr Mani had filed a defamation suit against working president of Bar Hotel Owners Association Biju Ramesh for alleging that the minster had taken a bribe of Rs 1 crore. In his reply, Biju Ramesh had categorically stated that he stood by his allegations.
“In the wake of Biju Ramesh’s statement, action should be taken against Mani. If he refuses to step down, the Chief Minister should sack him,” LDF convenor demanded.
He said Mr T.O. Sooraj, who was recently suspended following allegations of amassing disproportionate wealth, had stated that he would reveal the names of “big fish” involved in corrupt deals. Similarly, IPS officer Rahul R. Nair too had threatened to expose top police officers.
“All these statements point to the corrupt environment in which the entire government is functioning,” he added.
He said Left parties would observe a national campaign from December 8 to 14 on issues like MNREGA, rise in prices of essential commodities, FDI in insurance sector, black money, injecting Hindutva ideology in school curriculum, love jihad, atrocities against women and marginalised sections.
Meanwhile, there was high drama at AKG Centre when Kerala Congress (anti-merger) leaders came to attend the meeting.
Since two groups led by Mr P.C. Thomas and Mr Zacharia Thomas came for the meeting, there was confusion as to which group be allowed to take part in the deliberations.
Later, the LDF leaders persuaded them to come back after settling their differences.
“They don’t have any problem with the LDF. But there are certain issues in the party that they need to resolve,” said Mr Vaikom Viswan.
