Mani, George throw tantrum

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The demand for Finance Minister K  M Mani’s resignation following bar bribery controversy has been gathering momentum over the past few months. Kerala Congress high power committee which was convened on Thursday to discuss the present scenario in the party saw heated arguments between Mani and Government chief Whip P C George.

George alleged that Mani had cheated him after assuring him a minister’s post. Mani had also said that the party would have three ministers. On the other hand, Mani rebuked George for issuing reckless statements about Mani and his son, “Who is he to demand my resignation. George should avoid making controversial statements,” he said.        

As if to placate Mani, George then said that he would not allow Mani to resign and whatever he said was his personal opinion. “I had fallen prey to media’s provocation… I didn’t mean to hurt anyone or conspire against any one,” George said,.

It was Geroge’s close associate T S John who had demanded Mani’s resignation. “Mani should have resigned when the bar controversy broke out. If Mani was reluctant to resign alone, others could have joined him,” he said in the meeting, while Joseph group chose to remain silent.     

However, a decision was taken in the meeting by the party members to fight unitedly against bar bribery controversy. PC George said after the meeting that Mani himself would present the budget and a bar owner’s allegation can’t destroy the UDF.

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