Opposition demands Paloli's resignation

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 13 (UNI) The Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala today demanded the resignation of Local Self-Government Minister Paloli Mohammekutty in the wake of the Kerala High Court rejecting his ''unconditional apology''.

Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Oommen Chandy said Mr Mohammedkutty's tendering an ''apology'' was in itself accepting the guilt. He should be relieved from his duty as a Minister till he is acquitted, he said.

Earlier, when the Opposition had demanded his resignation, Mr Mohammedkutty had said that there was no clarity in the judgement and there was no need for resignation. But today the Court had said very clearly that it was rejecting the apology and taking this into view he should have to resign, Mr Chandy said.

United Democratic Front (UDF) Convener P P Thankachan said the minister did not have the moral right to continue in his office in the wake of the verdict. If he did not resign on his own, the Chief Minister should seek his resignation, he said.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Ramesh Chennithala said Mr Mohammedkutty should resign if he respects democratic values. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), which always talks about moral values should ask its minister to resign from the ministry, he added.

The Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the UDF, also demanded Mr Mohammedkutty's resignation saying it was not fair for a minister to continue after adverse remarks against him by a court.

Demanding the Minister's resignation, BJP state president P K Krishnadas said Mr Mohammedkutty had been found guilty in the wake of the court rejecting his ''unconditional apology''. If the CPI(M) upheld democratic values, it should ask him to resign, he added.

UNI