The CPI(M)-led Opposition staged a walk out on the first day of the rescheduled budget session of the Assembly here on Monday, after the Speaker turned down a notice seeking leave for an adjournment motion to discuss the bar bribery case involving Finance Minister K.M. Mani.
Moving the motion, CPI(M) leader S. Sarma alleged that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had masterminded a conspiracy to close the case against Mr. Mani. The decision of Vigilance Director Vincent M. Paul not to charge-sheet Mr. Mani had left no room for judicial scrutiny of the case.
Chennithala clarifies
Maintaining that the investigation into the bar bribery case was being carried out in an impartial and fair manner, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the Government had not meddled in the probe. The Vigilance Director had decided not to seek legal advice from the Advocate General because the Law Minister was involved in the case. “Senior advocates Mohan Parasar and Nageswara Rao were consulted, after attempts to seek legal opinion from the Attorney General of India and Solicitor General failed.”
Earlier, CPI(M) leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan asked the Home Minister why the Vigilance Director had opted to consult Mr. Rao who had represented the bar owners in the Supreme Court against the liquor policy of the government. “It is nothing but paid legal opinion,” he mocked.
Sarma’s charge
Accusing Mr. Vincent of overstepping his mandate, Mr. Sarma said he had evaded responsibility by directing the investigating officer to revise the report to be submitted to the court.
The Opposition members were on their feet after CPI(M) leader A.K. Balan mentioned a Facebook post by Mr. Chennithala admitting that he had come under immense pressure from the Congress and the United Democratic Front in handling the bar bribery investigation. The Minister replied that he had not succumbed to any pressure in the high-profile case.
Before staging the walkout, Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said the Vigilance Director had proved his loyalty to his political masters by making a farce of the investigation.
He accused the government of trying to run away from a discussion on the issue. Quoting from the Bible, he said: “So if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. As believers, can Mr. Chandy and Mr. Mani sleep in peace after trying to sabotage the case?”
