Kochi: It could be one of the worst days Kerala's senior-most administrator would have faced in his life. When the day ended, the question mark on finance and law minister K. M. Mani's political life of more than 50 years has grown so large that an escape looked impossible.
Mr Mani reached Ernakulam from his home in Marangattupilli by about 1 pm and drove straight to his daughter's home in Thripunithura on the outskirts of Kochi. By the time the single bench of the High Court had finished reading out the judgment at 1.45 pm, Mr Mani had become in communicado. It is understood that Mr Mani also consulted his lawyer over telephone.
That Mr Mani chose not to give clues about his whereabouts gave the United Democratic Front leaders a ruse to decline comments about the senior minister's plans, saying he was not reachable.
However, by about 4 pm, it became known that Mr Mani was in Thripunithura and the press corps landed in front of the housing colony where Mr Mani stayed.
By about 5.20 pm, Mr Mani came out of his home in the state car, where he answered the queries of the journalists. Mr Mani was in no mood to give up; he remained the combative self, indicating that he is unlikely to give in without a fight.
It remains to be seen if his fighting spirit will see him through another day on Tuesday or he will have a very ignominious exit from a glorious political life.
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