Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala on Monday maintained that the United Democratic Front and the Congress had always been supportive of Kerala Congress (M) leader K.M. Mani, when he had to face allegations in the bar bribery case.
He said there was no basis for the charges levelled against him with regard to the bar bribery case by some Kerala Congress(M) [KC(M)] leaders. Mr. Mani had been absolved of all charges by two Vigilance inquiries during his term as Home and Vigilance Minister, Mr. Chennithala said.
As Minister, he was firmly of the view that he would not interfere in the functioning of the Vigilance and he never did even when a letter was submitted by the then Leader of the Opposition to the Vigilance Director seeking an inquiry in the bar bribery case.
“I have never tried to corner or save anyone facing a probe,” Mr. Chennithala said, explaining the differences between the charges against Mr. Mani and the then Excise Minister K. Babu. He believed that Mr. Mani was not guilty and was firm on that view even today.
Mr.Mani would not have been able to present his record budget in 2014 but for the wholehearted support of UDF legislators. The UDF and the Congress had never taken any stance that would weaken the KC(M). The allegations that the Congress had cross voted to defeat the KC(M) were baseless as proved by the biggest victory margins of P.J. Joseph and Mons Joseph.
The Congress had cordial relations with the KC(M) and was consistent in its approach to Mr. Mani, who participated in every meeting held by the UDF leadership. The Congress had always sought to settle problems in the UDF through dialogues. At no point of time did Mr. Mani raise his problems within the UDF.
In reply to another question, Mr. Chennithala said he had warm relations with Mr. Mani, who was one of the senior leaders in the State.
On alliance in local bodies, he said the party would take a decision after discussions on the basis of the local conditions. Mr. Mani’s decision to quit the coalition was not a happy situation but the UDF had decided to go forward with its agitations against the Centre and the State governments’ unpopular policies.
