Kerala: LDF forces adjournment of House for the day over Mani issue

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 15: Kerala Assembly was adjourned for the day after CPI(M) led LDF opposition members stalled proceedings, demanding resignation of Finance Minister K M Mani, against whom a graft case has been registered.

As soon the session began, LDF members were on their feet seeking leave for an adjournment motion on the case registered by Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau on the bar bribery scam and started shouting slogans when their plea was rejected by Deputy Speaker N Sakthan.

CPI(M) deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan wanted to take the notice for motion by suspending question hour itself. LDF members displayed banners and placards, demanding resignation of Mani, Kerala Congress(M) supremo and third largest partner in UDF and moved to the well of the house and protested.

Sakthan announced suspension of question and zero hour, quickly took up other business scheduled for day and adjourned the house. The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau filed an FIR in a special court here last week after a preliminary inquiry on a bar owner's charge that Mani had taken a bribe of Rs one crore for ensuring reopening of closed bars.

Both Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Mani had denied the allegation and rejected the LDF demand. The House had been witnessing LDF protests over the issue since the beginning of the session on December 1.

PTI