File photo of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today met KM Mani, who resigned as Finance Minister on Tuesday in the wake of adverse remarks by High Court against him in bribery case.
Mr Chandy went to Mr Mani's residence today, followed by his Cabinet colleagues, including Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Excise Minister K Babu and Agriculture Minister KP Mohan, who separately called on the Kerala Congress (M) leader.
Though Chandy refused to talk to the media, Mr Chennithala said he met Mani as he was a senior legislator. "It was a courtesy call," he said.
The Cabinet met today for the first time without Mr Mani's presence.
Mr Mani, 82, against whom an FIR was registered in bribery case, resigned on Tuesday after pressure mounted on him from the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front to quit.
On Monday, the High Court had upheld further probe in the case against Mr Mani.
Working President of Kerala State Bar Hotel Owners Association Biju Ramesh had alleged in October last year that Mr Mani had demanded Rs 5 crore as bribe from the Association and accepted Rs 1 crore for renewal of licences to over 400 Indian-made foreign liquor bars, triggering a political storm.
An FIR had been filed against Mr Mani in the Vigilance Court last year after a 'quick verification' by vigilance department of the allegation by Biju Ramesh.