CPI(M) led LDF Opposition today took objection to the permission given by Speaker to Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani to make a statement in the state Assembly in connection with his resignation as the Finance Minister.
Opposition members said Mani, who resigned on November 10 following adverse court remarks against him in the bar bribery scam, was present at the House for the last few days taking part in the proceedings of the House and so he has no right to make a statement as a former minister today.
But, Speaker N Saktan, quoting Assembly rules, said the House had the precedent of allowing members to make such statements in the past.
In his statement, a visibly emotional Mani said he was pained by the Kerala High Court's remarks, which had been made without giving him a notice and hearing his part in the bar case.
"The incidental remarks made by the High Court based on the allegations of a bar owner, while speaking against the new liquor policy of the government in a television channel, without giving me a notice has pained me," he said in his brief statement.
"But, it is to be noticed that the Court had made no charges against me.I tendered my resignation by my own upholding high values," the veteran legislator said
Holding that he was not going into the details of the investigation carried out against him, the 82-year-old Mani said, "The truth will triumph finally".
"Vigilance had charge sheeted Mani, the chairman of Kerala Congress (M), the third largest party in the ruling UDF coalition, over the allegation of Kerala Bar Hotel Owners Association working president Biju Ramesh that he hadaccepted Rs 1 crore as bribe for renewing bar licenses.
