Achuthanandan criticises Chandy’s stance on bar case

Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan on Saturday said there was a dichotomy between the positions of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala regarding whether or not it was appropriate to book Finance Minister K.M. Mani on charges of corruption in the bar licence renewal bribery case.

Mr. Chandy’s stated position was that Mr. Mani was innocent. However, it was Mr. Chennithala who authorised the Vigilance quick verification and subsequent registration of a case against Mr. Mani. Now both of them had averred that there was unanimity in their opinion regarding Mr. Mani. Mr. Achuthanandan asked how this could be. He said the Chief Minister was insulting the intelligence of the electorate and taking the public for a ride.

Mr. Chandy’s position that Mr. Mani was innocent had prejudiced the ongoing investigation against the Finance Minister. The VACB was moving to charge-sheet the case. However, Mr. Chandy continued to maintain his Finance Minister’s innocence.

CM is insulting electorate’s intelligence and taking the public

for a ride