Mani should also undergo lie detector test: CPI-M

Reiterating its demand for the resignation of state Finance Minister K.M. Mani for allegedly accepting a bribe from bar owners, the CPI-M on Monday said that he too should undergo a lie detector test.

In case Mani did not resign, the Kerala Governor should see to it that the minister was removed, Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said.

The fresh demand for Mani's resignation and lie detector test came in the wake of media reports on Sunday that a similar test on the driver of whistle-blower bar owner Biju Ramesh last week had confirmed the veracity of his earlier statement given to the state vigilance department.

"With driver Ambili's statement during a lie detector test and submitted to the court now out in the open, it is clear that he said what he earlier stated before the vigilance department. So, Mani should resign, and if he does not, the Kerala governor should see that he is removed," said Balakrishnan.

Ambili is said to have told the vigilance department last month that he saw Kerala Bar Hotel Association president D. Rajkumar Unni handing over money to Mani at his official residence here.

On the other hand, Mani said he had nothing to say since the vigilance probe was on.

"I do not have anything to say and it is also not proper for me to say also," Mani told reporters.

His party's leaders were angry as to how a highly confidential report submitted in the court as part of the probe surfaced in the media.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said it was most surprising that the report was out in the media. "The origin of the leak will be probed," said Chennithala.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, said that Mani's party and his leaders are now coming out with lame excuses and wish to find the origin of the leak.

"Please quit and do not test the patience of the people anymore. All evidence is against him now and if the Vigilance conducts a lie detector test on him, all his shady deals will come out; so it's best that he quits at the earliest," said Achuthanandan.

Meanwhile, with the vigilance expected to submit its probe report at end of this month, all eyes are on what is in store for Mani.