LDF protests in Kerala Assembly, demands Finance Minister KM Mani's resignation

THIRUVANTHAPURAM: The CPI(M)-led LDF opposition today protested in the Kerala Assembly demanding resignation of Finance Minister K M Mani in the wake of the Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau filing an FIR against him in the bar bribe scam.

As soon the House began its sitting, LDF members were on their feet floating banners and placards displaying their demand.

As they kept on protesting, Deputy Speaker N Sakthan held up the question hour after his plea to cooperate with the conduct of the House failed to elicit a positive response from the opposition.

Mani, a senior politician and Kerala Congress (M) supremo, was booked by VACB yesterday for allegedly taking a hefty sum as bribe from bar owners in March-April this year promising his help for re-opening closed bars.

This followed filing of an FIR in a special Vigilance Court here based on the findings of a preliminary inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

81-year-old Mani has ruled out his resignation, holding that registration of a case does not warrant that and he will prove his "innocence".

Case against Mani under Sections 7 and 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act was registered on the basis of statements given by some of those questioned by investigators as part of "quick verification" into the allegation made over a month ago.