KM Mani dismisses 'corruption' charges, says he is being 'persecuted'

KM Mani who recently resigned as Kerala's Finance Minister, swatted away the corruption charges against him in the bar bribery case, asserting that he did not receive any bribe and was being 'persecuted'.

He maintained that he had been under no duress to resign and that he would remain loyal to the United Democratic Front (UDF)

"UDF has not denied me any justice and I have been dealt fairly by my own party. I was under no pressure from my party whatsoever to resign, it was a voluntary decision," Mani told the reporters here.

Talking about the bar bribery allegations that are being levelled against Excise Minister K. Babu, Mani refused to react saying it was not the 'right time' for him to judge the conduct of other partymen.

Hotelier Biju Ramesh, who had accused Mani of taking bribe for reducing licence fees of bar hotels, alleged charges against Babu as well saying he was part of the same scandal and had accepted a bribe as well.

However, Babu has brushed aside the charges against him saying all the allegations against him are baseless.