LDF welcomes verdict on bar bribe case

Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM, CPI and the  LDF on Tuesday demanded a detailed probe against Mani in the wake of vigilance court verdict in bar bribe case.

The LDF welcomed the vigilance court verdict on continuing the investigations into the bar bribe case. The vigilance had submitted a report saying that since there was no evidence in the case and hence it should be dismissed.

“I had moved the court in my capacity as the LDF convenor pleading that the case should not be dismissed and investigations should continue.  My petition stands vindicated,” said LDF convenor A. Vijayaraghavan.

He said the vigilance should explore all possibilities to bring out the truth in the case.  LDF has a well stated stand on the issue. The UDF had refu-sed to renew the licenses of 412 bars in 2014 citing lack of basic facilities.  

Subsequently those in the helm of power started clamouring for money for renewing the licenses. When the fight broke out between those who received the money and those who didn’t , one of the bar owners came out with allegations against K.M. Mani. The Kerala Congress leader was forced to resign after LDF’s historic agitation, he added.

Vijayaraghavan claimed that when Mani left UDF, the Congress-led front and the BJP tried to rope him in. The LDF however took a strong stand against him.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan  and CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran welcomed the verdict and expected the government to conduct an effective probe.

Contrary to Vijayaragh-avan’s claim, it was the CPM which all along tried to woo Mani after he left the UDF. It was because of the strong stand taken  by CPI against the tainted Kerala Congress leader that the LDF could not take him in. However, just before the Chengannur by poll, Mani returned to the UDF fold.

While wooing Mani, the CPM had even softened its stand on the corruption charges against Mani.