Bar bribe: Kerala bandh by BJP peaceful

No change in state government's stand on alleged bribe charges against finance minister KM Mani, for his role in favouring bar licences in return for money

Normal life in Kerala was disrupted on Tuesday due to a day-long state-wide hartal called by the BJP demanding resignation of finance minister KM Mani in the wake of graft charges against him in the alleged bar hotels bribery scam.

Buses, taxis and auto rickshaws kept off the roads and shops remained closed in the state. Except minor incidents involving manhandling of a truck driver at Kochi and hindrance to workers of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) at Kollam, no untoward incidents had been reported from any part of the state.

The BJP workers carried out rallies at various places, including in 14 district headquarters.

Various government offices, including the Secretariat functioned with a very thin attendance. The state government had declared a holiday for educational institutions. The Calicut and Kannur Universities have postponed the examinations scheduled for the day.

Passengers who arrived at various railway stations and airports unaware of the hartal call, found it difficult to get proper transport.

The bar bribe scam pertains to graft allegation leveled by Biju Ramesh, working president of Kerala State Bar Hotels Association, against finance minister Mani.

In November last year, Ramesh had alleged Mani was given a hefty sum on the promise he would help reopen some of the closed bars.

An FIR had been lodged in the matter for carrying out a detailed probe.

Mani, who handles finance and law portfolios in the government, had rubbished the charge, saying Ramesh has no credibility as he had been making contradictory statements on the issue.

Both the Congress-led ruling UDF and chief minister Oommen Chandy have been rallying behind Mani and maintained he would present the Budget this year too.

Meanwhile, the leakage of telephonic conversation between Ramesh and R Balakrishna Pillai, a veteran leader of UDF, has rocked the Kerala politics.

Pillai, in his conversation, alleged Mani had received crores of rupees as bribe from various business groups for doing them favours.

A section of the UDF leaders, including chief minister Oommen Chandy, wanted to oust Pillai from the UDF. It must be noted Pillai had already resigned from the post of chairman of the state Forward Caste Commission.

Meanwhile, UDF will convene a meeting on Wednesday to discuss recent issues that had terribly damaged the image of the government. This will be a crucial meeting for the Cabinet and also the UDF.

The UDF leadership is now in a dilemma as the Left Front has welcomed the stand taken by Pillai. Both Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan and CPI (M) supremo Pinarayi Vijayan had supported Pillai, making his ouster from the UDF difficult.