Finance Minister K M Mani alleges conspiracy against him

Thiruvananthapuram: KC (M) chairman and Finance Minister K. M. Mani has ruled out resignation in the wake of the Vigilance registering an FIR against him in the bargate scam. He alleged that there was a conspiracy against him and that investigations would reveal whether it was  hatched within the UDF or not.

“There are vigilance cases against a number of leaders. There is a conspiracy against me in the allegation. The truth will prevail once the inquiry is over. Let the law take its own course. Everybody knows the truth behind the allegation,” Mr Mani told reporters in New Delhi where he had gone to  attend the finance ministers’ meeting.

UDF sources said that all was not well within the party as a section of KC (M) leaders felt that Mr Mani should step down and face the probe. Some of them are upset that Mr Mani had unnecessarily got embroiled in a controversy which could have been avoided. Sensing that there would be repercussions against him, Mr Mani was  keen to make his son and Kottayam MP Jose K. Mani the party chairman a few weeks back. But this was spoiled by a group of senior party MLAs who was against dynasty politics.