Law taking its course in bar bribery case: Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that in the bar bribery case normal legal procedures will go on. 

Chandy was answering to media persons' querries after the cabinet briefing on Wednesday. When asked about Finance Minister K M Mani’s statement in a TV channel interview that he would not resign even if the charge sheet is filed against him, Chandy skirted the question, saying “is there a need to answer such hypothetical questions?”.  

Referring to the allegations that the women LDF MLAs were harassed in the Assembly, the chief minister asked why the Opposition was not showing the video of the incident and instead, showing clips. “They showed 140 photos but not the video. We were ready to watch the video together with the Opposition,” Chandy said, casting doubts on the authenticity of the photographs.

Blaming the Opposition for using women as weapons in the Assembly, the chief minister said while everybody wants women’s security laws not to be misused , the LDF is doing otherwise.

“Even the suspended MLAs could not question the action against them. Action was taken against those whose unruly acts in the Assembly were prominently shown on TV channels and after the people were convinced about it. We had tried to limit the number of suspension to minimum. And, if the suspension was based on some other sentiments, who knows how many suspensions would have happened,” Chandy said.

When asked about women LDF MLAs saying that the videos were not worth watching by family members together, Chandy retorted that the whole thing was already seen by all. The chief minister however didn’t appreciate the distribution of ladoos by the UDF MLAs. But he said that could not be equated to the destruction of Assembly facilities worth Rs 5 lakh.

The chief minister in reply to a question said the government would go ahead with legal procedures to get compensation from the accused MLAs. “We are not acting with any prejudice, vengeance or vested interest. The LDF’s current stand will make a mockery of themselves in front of the people. It was they who sent women MLAs towards the finance minister. Now they are blaming us. Who will believe the allegation that UDF MLAs made sexual advancements in front of hundreds of cameras and thousands of people.?”