VS Achuthanandan alleges CM on propaganda drive to save KM Mani
He said statement made by Chandy post verdict was a challenge to judiciary
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan on Thursday said in bar bribe case chief minister Oommen Chandy was carrying out false propaganda as if to seek anticipatory bail someone who had carried out cold blooded murder in broad daylight.
He said statement made by Chandy post verdict was a challenge to judiciary. “It’s cheap on his part to draw a comparison between Palm oil and bar bribe case. There is no comparison between the two, both cases took different course. Bar bribe case is perhaps the only one in which probe was derailed by the government along with the vigilance top brass. Hence it is not a simple issue,” he said.
Achuthanandan said in Palm Oil case Chandy’s name didn’t figure in the FIR or chargesheet and it wa only after further evidence that court directed to make him an accused.
“In bar bribe case it was on my complaint that quick verification was conducted and FIR registered making Mani an accused. About 20 witnesses were questioned. The probe was handed over to vigilance SP,” he said.
The SP conducted a detailed investigation took evidence from more than 200 witnesses. However, the officer had informed that he not given enough time by superior officers to collect more evidence. He had reported that Mani could be prosecuted with the available evidence.
It is crystal clear that the vigilance director had taken the illegal stand under pressure from Chandy, Ramesh Chennithala and Mani. Under these circumstances all three should resign with immediate effect. He asked the chief minster to stop his false propaganda to save Mani.
CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the chief minister’s comparison of bar bribe case with palm was utter nonsense. He called upon people to rally behind the agitation to seek Mani’s resignation.
CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said Mani had no right to continue in the office following the vigilance court verdict. The chief minster is trying to shield him but people of the state would give a befitting reply to htem .
LDF convenor Vaikom Viswan called for mass agitations to demand Mani’s resignation.