Bar bribe: Mani says allegations baseless, Chandy says no question of probe

Earlier, Congress legislator T N Prathapan had asked Chandy to react to the bar owners allegation. But, Chandy disowned Prathapan, saying he should have shown restraint.

On Friday night, bar hotel owners representative Biju Ramesh had alleged that Mani, chairman of regional Christian-dominated party Kerala Congress (M), had sought Rs 5 crore for renewing the bar licence. He said Mani was paid Rs 1 crore in two installments, but the rest of the amount was not paid as it became evident it would be a futile exercise.

Bar hotel owner Ramesh had said he had the recorded version of the conversation with Mani and was ready to hand over the evidence to any investigating agency.

Reacting to the allegation, Mani told the media in Kottayam on Saturday that the charges were baseless. “There is a conspiracy behind the allegation.  Such allegations could not destroy the Kerala Congress (M).”

Mani said he did not think that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was behind the allegation, but Mani’s party leader P C George said he has every reason to suspect that Chandy’s “A” faction in the Congress was behind the allegation.

“Chandy is integral part of the A group in Congress. Without Chandy there is no “A” group. The faction has been resorted to a dirty approach towards Kerala Congress,” said George, also a Government Chief whip.

On George’s barb, Chandy said he (George) is known for saying anything.

Mani’s Kerala Congress (M) is the second leading partner of the Congress in the United Democratic Front after the Indian Union Muslim League. Chandy cannot antagonize Mani as his government is running on a majority of three members in the Assembly.

Besides, CPI (M) had made overtures to Mani in the past in a bid to topple the Congress government. Last month, Kerala Congress (M) had openly stated that Mani is the most eligible leader to become the chief minister.