Bar bribery row in Kerala escalates as LDF, Yuva Morcha activists surround Assembly in protest

Thiruvananthapuram: Hundreds of activists of LDF and Yuva Morcha have converged around the state Assembly Complex in Thiruvananthapuram as part of a protest siege to check state Finance Minister KM Mani from presenting the budget today over the bar bribery issue. [caption id=“attachment_2151319” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani. IBNLive[/caption] Though a high level security was placed and barricades had been set up by police in the vicinity, activists began to pour in large numbers in the area since Thursday evening. Tension mounted in the state capital after CPI(M)-led LDF opposition warned the Congress-headed UDF government that they would go to any extent if Mani, facing allegations in the bar bribery case, would try to present the budget and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy made it clear in the Assembly that Mani himself would present the budget as he has the constitutional right for it. Putting pressure on the ruling Front, the LDF MLAs stayed in the Assembly complex on Thursday night as part of their plans to check Mani inside the House while he comes to present the budget in the morning. Apparently fearing the blockage and siege, Mani and some of his cabinet colleagues also stayed back inside the Assembly complex on Thursday night. Taking up the challenge of the Opposition, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy maintained in the Assembly yesterday that allegations against Mani were part of a “political conspiracy” and asserted that the minister himself would present the budget. Reacting to Chandy’s stand, CPI(M) veteran and Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said the government would have to face consequences if it let “tainted” Mani present the budget and Chandy alone would be responsible for that. Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December last year in connection with the allegations that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences. The allegations were levelled by Kerala state Bar Hotel Owner’s Association Working President Biju Ramesh. PTI