CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has alleged that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is sabotaging the legal process in the country to shield Finance Minister K.M. Mani who has been accused of corruption in the bar licence bribery case.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Mr. Balakrishnan said it was for the first time that a Minister was proceeded against by his own government by registering a case. As per the Criminal Procedure Code stipulations, such a person should have been arrested and produced before court.
However, so far, no such thing has been done. “This is because the Chief Minister was giving in to political pressure.” Mr. Mani’s party had nine MLAs whose support was vital for the continuance of the present ruling dispensation. The Chief Minister was trying to sabotage the legal process just to hang on to power, he alleged.
Moreover, if Mr. Mani was proceeded against, other Ministers, mostly Congress representatives who were involved in the bribery case also would have to be proceeded against, he said.
On agitation path
Mr. Balakrishnan said the party would be moving into an agitation path taking up the issues of corruption, women’s security and breakdown of administration in the coming days. The agitation would start with an awareness campaign to be taken up by the respective district committees from April 6 to April 9. This would be followed by siege of the State Secretariat and the district collectorates on April 20.
Reacting to a question, Mr. Balakrishnan said there was no need to discuss the issue of including P.C. George in the LDF at this juncture. “Mr. George might have his own ideas and plans. But there is no need to take up the question of his joining the LDF now,” he said.
