THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “If the UDF wants to expel me, let them do that on January 28 when the members meet. Only then can I go before the people and expose more evidence on corruption,” Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai said on Thursday.
Thursday’s editorial on Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam, had mocked Pillai, saying “if Pillai jumps, he will, only till the height of his knee.” Pillai’s statement is in reply to this. “I am the person who made a horn called LDF and I therefore have the right to cut it,” he said.
“Mani, who is tainted by corruption allegation, can decide on whether to present the budget or not. But he himself has to decide whether he has the moral right to do that. Even before Biju exposed the scandal I had mentioned it to the chief minister,” Pillai said.
Pillai also welcomed the observation in the editorial that his son Ganesh Kumar was more mature than him. “As a father, I feel happy to hear such words about my son. The same paper had criticised Ganesh two weeks ago,” he added.
Veekshanam editorial severely censures Balakrishna Pillai
Congress mouthpiece Veekshanam has come down heavily on Balakrishna Pillai, whose statements have put Minister K M Mani in the docks. It asks Pillai to confess his wrongdoings in the past and bath in Papanashini (a river that washes away ones sins, according to beliefs).
The editorial also delves on the reason for his defeat in the Assembly election. Pillai’s threat that he would expose more corruption in the government once he goes out of the UDF is like “threatening using snake made of palm leaves”. Pillai is one who can’t be trusted.
Pillai is safe since Kerala is currently ruled by a cool-headed chief minister like Oommen Chandy. What he deserves is the kind of action late chief minister K Karunakaran had taken against him for making a Punjab model speech (Pillai was stripped of his ministerial post ).
The editorial also reminds that his hands once had the taint of corruption. “Before coming out with allegations regarding corruption, he should first wash off the blemish on him in the Idamalayar case in which he was convicted and jailed, and Graphite case, which could not be proved.
BJP to observe hartal on Jan 27
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP will observe a dawn to dusk hartal on January 27 seeking the ouster of Finance Minister K M Mani from the cabinet.
The party has decided to organise protests all over the state.
The party has decided to organise protests all over the state.
Biju Ramesh seeks police protection
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the handing over of evidence, my life is in danger and need police protection, said bar association working president Biju Ramesh. A letter seeking police protection will be given to the chief and home ministers.
Biju said that he would go forward until truth is proved in the case. Biju had produced a disc containing the conversation with allusion to Mani first receiving Rs 5 crore and then returning it to prevent the closure of 312 bars following the closure of 418 bars.
He said the evidence was not concocted and if examined you will be able to know who all paid money. However, the real hard disc will not be handed over. Nobody is supporting me from outside and in this situation, I am welcoming the support of V S Achuthanandan, he said.
Biju said that he would go forward until truth is proved in the case. Biju had produced a disc containing the conversation with allusion to Mani first receiving Rs 5 crore and then returning it to prevent the closure of 312 bars following the closure of 418 bars.
He said the evidence was not concocted and if examined you will be able to know who all paid money. However, the real hard disc will not be handed over. Nobody is supporting me from outside and in this situation, I am welcoming the support of V S Achuthanandan, he said.
HC not to interfere in bar bribery case
KOCHI: Kerala High Court has pointed that the situation at present doesn’t warrant its interference in bar bribery case. The mere reason that a minister is involved in the scam doesn’t necessitates the supervision of the court in the case. If there is irregularity in the investigation, the court can be approached again.
Though the court asked the government about the current status of the case, the Accounts General couldn’t give a proper reply.
Though the court asked the government about the current status of the case, the Accounts General couldn’t give a proper reply.
Vigilance director is in charge of bar case, says Chennithala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala clarified that vigilance director Vinson M Paul is in charge of the bar bribe case involving Finance Minister K M Mani. The news that vigilance ADGP Jacob Thomas ADGP was elevated to DGP rank in order to subvert the case, is totally baseless, he said.
The bulletin that four ADGPs were given the DGP rank is baseless. The cabinet only approved screening committee’s recommendation that six including M N Krishnamoorthy and Vinson M Paul, who were made DGPs earlier, are entitled for the status of DGP. This was misinterpreted.
The committee’s recommendation that IPS officers Arun Kumar Sinha, Dr Jacob Thomas, Loknath Behra and Rishiraj Singh of 1984-85 batch having 30 years’ service are entitled for the DGP status will be produced before the union home ministry. They will be posted as DGP as and when vacancies are informed. Senkumar recommended for DGP status by the screening committee in 2013 was posted to the rank after a year, he said.
The bulletin that four ADGPs were given the DGP rank is baseless. The cabinet only approved screening committee’s recommendation that six including M N Krishnamoorthy and Vinson M Paul, who were made DGPs earlier, are entitled for the status of DGP. This was misinterpreted.
The committee’s recommendation that IPS officers Arun Kumar Sinha, Dr Jacob Thomas, Loknath Behra and Rishiraj Singh of 1984-85 batch having 30 years’ service are entitled for the DGP status will be produced before the union home ministry. They will be posted as DGP as and when vacancies are informed. Senkumar recommended for DGP status by the screening committee in 2013 was posted to the rank after a year, he said.
Arrest Mani: VS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan has demanded that Finance Minister K M Mani be arrested as more evidence regarding bar bribery scam has come out.
“Bar owners’ revelation that there is a counting machine in Mani’s house points out that bribe received was a huge amount. And, hence Mani should resign,” V S said in a statement.
“Mani has been selling off the government’s budget amount. The minister who is under the cloud of suspicion in the bar bribery scam should not be allowed to present the budget. Even Chief Whip P C George and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai have clarified that Mani had taken bribe. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s cabinet has become a ‘tent’ of corruption,” the statement said.
“Bar owners’ revelation that there is a counting machine in Mani’s house points out that bribe received was a huge amount. And, hence Mani should resign,” V S said in a statement.
“Mani has been selling off the government’s budget amount. The minister who is under the cloud of suspicion in the bar bribery scam should not be allowed to present the budget. Even Chief Whip P C George and Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai have clarified that Mani had taken bribe. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s cabinet has become a ‘tent’ of corruption,” the statement said.
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