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Thiruvananthapuram: Unprecedented protests by the opposition members were witnessed in the Kerala Assembly as Finance Minister K M Mani, facing corruption charges in bar licence issue, presented the budget.
Members of the opposition damaged Speaker N. Sakthan's chair and computer as the house assembled for the day's proceedings on Friday. The speaker as well as the finance minister were unable to enter the floor of the assembly and had to retreat to their cabins.
Members of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) came to Mani's rescue and escorted him to this seat. He tabled the budget amid high drama.
Outside the assembly complex, the Left and the youth wing of the BJP continued their protest since last evening, pressing for Mani to step down.
As LDF made it clear that all roads leading to the Assembly would be blocked, security has been tightened and the
entire assembly area cordoned off.
The Finance Minister's office when contacted, said Mani was staying back in the Assembly complex as 'priority before
him is to present the budget tomorrow'.
Besides Mani, some ministers and UDF MLAs are also staying back to express solidarity with the Finance Minister,
Congress sources said.
In a tactical move, CPI(M)led LDF members also decided to stay inside the Assembly as part of their stir even after
it adjourned for the day after a commotion in the afternoon, making the political situation more tense.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would face the stir sternly if it turns violent.
LDF claimed thousands of volunteers would take part in the 'protest resistance' to be staged outside the Assembly
complex.
Aggravating the situation, BJP's youth wing Yuva Morcha has also announced plans to stage dharna before the Assembly.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy took up the challenge of the Opposition, maintaining that the charges
against Mani was part of a 'political conspiracy' and asserted that the minister himself would present the budget.
Reacting to his stand, CPI(M) veteran and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had said government would have to
face the consequences if it let a 'tainted' Mani present the budget and Chandy alone would be responsible for that.
Intervening in the debate, 82-year-old Mani had debunked the opposition charges and said his 50-year-long public life
was transparent.
Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December 2014 in connection with the
charges that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.
The allegations were levelled by Kerala state Bar Hotel Owner's Association Working President Biju Ramesh. PTI
Thiruvananthapuram: Unprecedented protests by the opposition members were witnessed in the Kerala Assembly as Finance Minister K M Mani, facing corruption charges in bar licence issue, presented the budget.
Members of the opposition damaged Speaker N. Sakthan's chair and computer as the house assembled for the day's proceedings on Friday. The speaker as well as the finance minister were unable to enter the floor of the assembly and had to retreat to their cabins.
Members of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) came to Mani's rescue and escorted him to this seat. He tabled the budget amid high drama.
Outside the assembly complex, the Left and the youth wing of the BJP continued their protest since last evening, pressing for Mani to step down.
As LDF made it clear that all roads leading to the Assembly would be blocked, security has been tightened and the
entire assembly area cordoned off.
The Finance Minister's office when contacted, said Mani was staying back in the Assembly complex as 'priority before
him is to present the budget tomorrow'.
Besides Mani, some ministers and UDF MLAs are also staying back to express solidarity with the Finance Minister,
Congress sources said.
In a tactical move, CPI(M)led LDF members also decided to stay inside the Assembly as part of their stir even after
it adjourned for the day after a commotion in the afternoon, making the political situation more tense.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would face the stir sternly if it turns violent.
LDF claimed thousands of volunteers would take part in the 'protest resistance' to be staged outside the Assembly
complex.
Aggravating the situation, BJP's youth wing Yuva Morcha has also announced plans to stage dharna before the Assembly.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy took up the challenge of the Opposition, maintaining that the charges
against Mani was part of a 'political conspiracy' and asserted that the minister himself would present the budget.
Reacting to his stand, CPI(M) veteran and Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had said government would have to
face the consequences if it let a 'tainted' Mani present the budget and Chandy alone would be responsible for that.
Intervening in the debate, 82-year-old Mani had debunked the opposition charges and said his 50-year-long public life
was transparent.
Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December 2014 in connection with the
charges that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences.
The allegations were levelled by Kerala state Bar Hotel Owner's Association Working President Biju Ramesh. PTI
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