LDF to cash in on KM Mani case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Coming as it is just three days ahead of the crucial local bodies polls,  Left parties have decided to take maximum advantage of the vigilance court verdict against Finance Minister K M Mani in bar bribe case.

The left leaders admit that the verdict could not have come at a better time for the opposition especially with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy saying that the polls are a referendum on his government’s four year rule.

To begin with the LDF will be holding dharnas in all 941 panchayats on Friday. Protest marches have also been planned in 86 municipalities and six corporations in the run up to the polls.

“It’s not the opposition which has indicted the government. The court has come out with a clear verdict. We will try our best to take the issue to grass roots in the remaining three days. LDF has well oiled machinery which can reach people even if it is at a short notice. Our cadres will fan out across villages and towns to expose the corrupt,” said CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran

The LDF plans to put UDF star campaigner and CWC member A K Antony in a tight spot. The former union minister who is leading the road shows of the UDF in various districts, has not said anything concrete on the verdict yet as he wanted to go through the order.

People in the LDF camp say they would dare Antony to make his stand clear on the Mani issue. It also plans to remind the veteran Congress leader that in 1994 he had resigned as Union Minister for Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution in Narasimha Rao Government following sugar import scandal involving his ministry. Though there were no allegations against him, Antony took the decision on moral grounds.

Sources said the Left would put a question to Antony whether Mani who is directly involved in the case, shouldn't be resigning on moral grounds and facing the probe. Political  observers say the question is a tough one  for the former defence minister who is leading road shows for UDF candidates across the state.

"We will discuss the verdict with voters, apprise them about the harsh criticism of government and vigilance. People will reject the corrupt dispensation," LDF Convenor Vaikom Viswan told DC.

Clearly the UDF is faced with a tough challenge of defending Mani in the face of an adverse verdict and coming as it is on the eve of the crucial polls.