K Babu returns as Kerala Excise Minister

Congress leader K Babu, who had resigned as state excise minister nine days ago in the wake of Vigilance court directing filing of an FIR against him in the bar bribery case, today returned to the Oommen Chandy cabinet after the Kerala High Court stayed the order.

Babu's return to the cabinet was imminent after the High Court stayed the vigilance court order and ruling Congress-led UDF decided there was no need for him to resign.

Babu, who resigned on January 23, represents Tripunithura assembly segment in Ernakulam and is a first time minister and close confidant of Chandy.

His resignation came two months after the resignation of Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani as Finance Minister following Kerala High Court's strong observations against him in the bar scam.

The resignations had rattled the UDF government in poll- bound Kerala.

Working President of Kerala Bar Owners Association Biju Ramesh had alleged Babu was given Rs 10 crore as bribe for renewal of licences of liquor bars, a charge rubbished by the Congress leader.