Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani who has been charged with bribery.
In another embarrassment for Kerala's United Democratic Front (UDF) government, a leaked audio recording of a conversation between Biju Ramesh of the Kerala Bar and Hotels Association and Balakrishna Pillai of Congress (B) and also with Chief Whip PC George has brought out the rift within UDF to the open.
In the recordings, Mr Pillai is heard advising Mr Ramesh against KM Mani, the Finance Minister of the UDF government, saying, "You must file a case in court and demand a CBI investigation. A quick verification by the police against the state's law minister is only a farce."
"I have told Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that the bribes have been taken from bar owners to get their license renewed, and apart from them, bribes have also been taken from rice mill owners (Rs2cr), from gold merchants (Rs19cr). There is no one like this minister at present." Mr Pillai added.
A case had been filed earlier against Finance Minister KM Mani after a quick verification was conducted based on the allegations made by entrepreneur Biju Ramesh that Mr Mani had demanded a bribe of Rs 5 crore for the renewal of licences of shut bars, and that a certain part of this amount was already paid.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who has supported KM Mani, has maintained that his government cannot be "destabilised" by anybody.