Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan and CPI State secretary Pannian Ravindran have demanded Finance Minister K.M. Mani’s arrest in the light of the disclosure by persons holding offices with Cabinet rank that he had taken bribe from bar owners.
In separate statements here on Wednesday, Mr. Achuthanandan and Mr. Ravindran said Mr. Mani’s continuation in office would be a challenge to the rule of law and the Constitution.
Both of them urged Chief Minister Oommen Chandy not to permit Mr. Mani to present the next budget of the State. Mr. Achuthanandan said the disclosures by Mr. Pillai showed that Mr. Mani had been ‘selling’ the budget to earn huge sums.
The allegations against Mr. Mani were a disgrace for the entire population of Kerala, he said.
