Thiruvananthapuram:
The row over the closure of bars and related bribery allegations against Finance Minister KM Mani dominated the first day of the pre-budget session of the Kerala Assembly.
Parties from the opposition, led by former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, staged a walk out briefly, demanding the resignation of Mr Mani and questioning the vigilance probe. The Opposition alleged that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was shielding the accused in the bribery case.
Biju Ramesh, of the Kerala Hotels and Bar Association, had alleged that Mr Mani demanded Rs. 5 crore and was paid Rs 1 crore for the licence renewal of bars which had been shut down for being 'sub-standard'.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, tried to table a CD with visual evidence of money transaction between the Finance Minister and others. He was not allowed to do so by the Deputy Speaker, since it was not presented for verification before being tabled, as required by the rules of the House.
Mr Balakrishnan had alleged that "the driver of the car bearing registration number KL01B 7878 had delivered Rs 15 lakh in cash at Mani's official residence here. He was followed by two others who handed over Rs 35 lakh".
Mr Mani denied all allegations on the floor of the house. "Neither I nor my party have anything to do with this. The onus to prove these charges lies on those who are leveling these allegations," he said.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said, "the government has not been interfering with the investigations by the Vigilance and therefore, the time required by them will be given. No case can be registered without a preliminary investigation."