Two days after CPI (M) veteran and Chairman of Administrative Reforms Commission, VS Achuthanandan, demanded the resignation of Kerala Minister MM Mani, the party high-command has decided that the minister can continue in his post.
Sitaram Yechury told journalists in New Delhi on Wednesday, that there was no need for Mani to resign yet. “The party has already taken a stand on the issue that they will appeal to the higher court and the Kerala party will decide on that matter.”
In a letter addressed to party General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday, VS had reportedly demanded the resignation of Electricity Minister MM Mani. This was in the wake of a Thodupuzha court dismissing the minister’s petition to discharge him in the Anchery Baby murder case of 1982.
Yechury said that he has not yet received any letter from VS raising such a demand. VS had reportedly argued in the letter that someone who has criminal charges against them cannot continue as a minister in the government.
Earlier, soon after the news of VS’s letter broke out, party State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had sided with Mani, observing that Mani was an accused at the time he contested the election.
Feigning ignorance of VS's letter too, Kodiyeri also ruled out any possibilities of Mani being dropped from the cabinet.
Mani had assumed office only last month, after Excise and Sports Minister EP Jayarajan resigned over allegations of nepotism.