Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran's stand on excise minister K. Babu is going to be crucial in the bar scam case. Though both the factions in the Congress have expressed their apprehensions about the role of Mr Babu, home minister Ramesh Chennithala and health minister V. S. Sivakumar in the scam, Congress leaders cutting across group loyalties say Mr Babu need to step down only if the court makes adverse remarks.
Though majority of the KPCC leaders, including Mr Sudheeran, was keen to see KC (M) supremo K. M. Mani stepped down right from the time his name was dragged into the controversy, it never happened.
With Chief Minister Oommen Chandy rallying behind him, he stayed put as his finance minister. A leader close to Mr Sudheeran told DC that he was taking a wait-and-watch policy on Mr Babu.
“If Mr Sudheeran shows his true colours, Mr Babu has no other way. But it is to be seen whether Mr Sudheeran will come out against Mr Babu as he is already being sidelined. Right now, Mr Sudheeran is not taking a stand against Mr Babu,” said a KPCC general secretary.
But majority of the leaders feel Mr Babu will not face the same heat as Mr Mani. A prominent Congress MLA, who is close to Mr Sudheeran, told DC that as long as the court does not make any adverse remarks against Mr Babu, he would continue as minister.
“Mr Mani had to step down due to the controversial remarks made by High Court judge Justice B. Kemal Pasha who upheld the order of the special vigilance court. Anyone can raise an allegation. Why should Mr Babu step down?” said a Congress MLA.
But a senior KPCC vice-president said the government could interfere with the findings of the vigilance director and Mr Babu’s future would depend on the outcome of the case being filed against him in the vigilance court.
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