LDF lays siege on secretariat, demands KM Mani’s resignation
The cantonment gate was blocked by a group of leader led by V Sivankutty MLA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of workers of LDF laid siege on the secretariat here and collectorates in other districts to demand K M Mani’s resignation and action against MLAs who assaulted women legislators in House on budget day.
Inaugurating the siege, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan accused the UDF Government of running a corrupt administration which worked under the cover of darkness.
“Most wheeler dealers and mafia groups come for corrupt deals in the evening. The chief ministers office actually starts functioning only after the sun set to facilitate such shady deals,” he added.
The CPM leader said that the Mass Contact Programme of the chief minister was aimed at the forthcoming by election in Arruvikkara assembly constituency.
He accused the government of failing to take action against Mani who was one of the main accused in the bar bribe case.
Kodiyeri said that a police officer who took Rs 1 lakh bribe was in the central jail and the minister who had taken more than Rs 1 crore is still roaming free.
Despite having clear evidence against Mani , the chief minister was shielding him, he said and demanded the resignation of the finance minister.
LDF workers from various parts of the district arrived at 6 am here to lay siege to the four gates of the secretariat.
The cantonment gate was blocked by a group of leader led by V Sivankutty MLA. They were removed by the police to pave the way for the chief minister and ministers motorcades.
Later, chief minster and his colleagues arrived at the secretariat and held Cabinet meeting at 9 am.
The LDF leaders announced that they would intensify the agitation in the coming days by mobilising people across the state.