Bar bribery case: Pressure mounts on Kerala government, KM Mani may have to quit as FM

KOCHI: The UDF government in Kerala plunged into a crisis after the high court upheld further probe into the bar bribery case involving finance minister KM Mani.

He may be forced to step down by Tuesday, as demands for his resignation have been made by even sections of the Congress amid reports that the Congress high command has asked chief minister Oommen Chandy to ask the leader of the coalition partner to step down.

Mani is the chairman of the empowered committee of state FMs on GST. An emergency meeting of the Congress-led United Democratic Front leaders is scheduled for Tuesday to discuss the new development in the bribery scam that has haunted the government for the past one year.

The court said that Mani’s continuance in office would create anxiety in the minds of the people. Justice Kamal Pasha said whether Mani should continue as minister was left to his conscience, while allowing further probe into the bar-bribe case. Mani faces the charge that he accepted Rs 1 crore for reopening 418 closed bars.

Putting a brave front after the verdict, Mani alleged that there was a “conspiracy” against him. “I know the conspiracy. It will come out today or tomorrow,” he said. He said that Kerala Congress (M) will meet on Tuesday to take a decision on the matter.

Leader of another ally, IUML, and industries minister, P K Kunhalikutty said that the Mani’s resignation will happen “today or tomorrow”.

When the case came up in the court on Monday it was the Congress leader Kapil Sibal who appeared for the vigilance department in the case, instead of the advocate-general.