Bar bribery row: Oppn boycotts Gov address, demands Mani’s resignation

Opposition members came to the Assembly holding placards demanding Mani’s resignation.

Demanding the resignation of Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani in the bar bribery case, the CPM-led Opposition Friday boycotted the Governor’s address, which marked the beginning of the budget session of the Assembly.

Opposition members came to the Assembly holding placards demanding Mani’s resignation. When Governor P Sathasivam started his address, detailing the achievements and plans of the Congress-led UDF government, the Opposition walked out of the Assembly.

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan told the media outside the Assembly complex that Mani would not be allowed to present the budget, slated for March 13. “We will not allow Mani, who is facing a probe in the bar bribery case, to present the budget. We have asked the Governor to keep Mani away from presenting the budget. The Governor has assured us to consider it,’’ said Achuthanandan.

The coordination panel of the CPM-led Left Democratic Front will meet to chalk out the agitation against Mani. The Opposition has even threatened that Mani would not be allowed to attend the Assembly to present the budget.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More