The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Monday demanded the resignation of Finance Minister K.M. Mani in view of the leak of budget documents before its presentation in the Assembly. The Opposition also demanded the cancellation of the leaked budget and the presentation of a fresh one since the one presented by Mr. Mani had lost its constitutional validity.
Addressing a press conference here, Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan, accompanied by C. Divakaran of the CPI, A.A. Aziz of the RSP, Mathew T. Thomas of the Janata Dal (Secular), and A.K. Saseendran of the NCP, said that the budget had lost its constitutional validity because the documents were published even before it was presented in the Assembly. He pointed out that he had brought to the Speaker's notice the leak prior to the presentation of the budget. The Speaker said he would give his ruling after hearing the Finance Minister's speech. Subsequently, the Speaker ruled that the budget documents had leaked and directed the government to conduct an inquiry and report the matter to the House, he said.
Mr. Achuthanandan said that the ground for corruption had been prepared by leaking out information on taxation and tax relief to big industrialists, traders, and other vested interests. The budget leak has prepared the ground for vested interests to make huge economic gains. The Minister had lost the right to continue in office for violating provisions of the law and on grounds of breach of privilege of the House, he said.
In reply to a question on the next move of the Opposition, Mr. Achuthanandan said that a decision on this would be taken on the basis of developments that might take place on Tuesday.
