Giving clear signals of a rift with its working president Biju Ramesh, the Kerala Bar Hotels’ Association (KBHA) has virtually distanced itself from the bribery allegations levelled by him against the political leadership. This was evident from the media briefing by KBHA State president D. Rajkumar after a hastily convened emergency executive committee meeting at a city hotel here on Wednesday.
Mr. Rajkumar said that Mr. Ramesh had failed to produce any evidence substantiating his allegation against Finance Minister K.M. Mani before the five-member inquiry committee set up by the association with its general secretary M.D. Dhanesh as convener. “Had he produced evidence, the secretary would have placed it in appropriate forum,” he said.
When pointed out that this was at variance with last executive committee meeting at which the association had unanimously agreed to back Mr. Ramesh, Mr. Rajkumar said that it was an allegation that had to be substantiated with evidence. In fact, none of the 70 members of the association had submitted any evidence before the committee, though many of them had levelled allegations against political leaders at that meeting.
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Mr. Ramesh’s latest allegation that the association members, including Mr. Rajkumar, were privy to the payment of bribery of Rs.10 crore to Excise Minister K. Babu was also shot down. “No such thing has taken place,” Mr. Rajkumar said categorically.
He, however, conceded that association members, including him, may have met the Minister requesting a favourable decision to open Mr. Ramesh’s bar hotel Indraprastha. “However, the Minister can neither do something beyond the law nor could we seek it,” Mr. Rajkumar said.
He said the association had no knowledge of any meeting, which the Excise Minister had accused Mr. Ramesh of having attended at a LDF MLA’s house to topple the government. “We don’t know whether Mr. Ramesh has attended any such meeting,” Mr. Rajkumar said. Asked whether Mr. Ramesh’s unilateral statements were seen as against organisational discipline, he said the KBHA was an organisation that allowed freedom of expression.
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About Mr. Ramesh’s allegation that the association had fudged its accounts, Mr. Rajkumar said that accounts should be sought at the executive meeting rather than making allegations outside. “We cannot give accounts to anyone who demands it from the road,” he said.
Mr. Ramesh was conspicuous by his absence at the marathon meeting that lasted over three hours. Out of the 70 members, 46 attended the meeting called at 12 hours notice, while 15 members had sought leave. However, Mr. Ramesh stayed away without seeking leave.
The association says Biju Ramesh has failed to produce any proper evidence.