The News Minute | January 19, 2015 | 03:56 pm IST
In a revelation that makes Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's position extremely difficult in the state, the whistle blower in the 'bar bribe' case has released two telephone conversations, which he claims he had with two senior political leaders, about a Rs 1 crore bribe allegedly given to Finance Minister KM Mani.
What can likely become particularly damaging is a conversation with Balakrishna Pillai, in which Pillai openly admits that he had complained to the Chief Minister that Mani had taken bribe from not just bar owners but from others as well. The other telephone conversation allegedly took place with PC George, chief whip of the Kerala Legislative Assembly.
Biju Ramesh is the person who is said to have made the calls to Pillai and George on November 1 and 2, 2014.
From the first conversation it seems, Pillai was expecting Biju Ramesh's calls as he immediately starts discussing about KM Mani. Pillai says, "I met Oommen Chandy once when KM Mani was present and I told him that talk in the town was that bar owners in Kottarakkara had collected Rs 2 lakh from each owner and a total of Rs 1 crore was handed over to Mani".
Pillai goes on to tell Ramesh that this is not the only instance when Mani had taken a bribe "It is not just from bar owners, but Rs 19 crore was also collected by Malabar Gold from various jewelry shop owners and it was handed over to Mani. Mani also took money from rice mill owners." Pillai also asks Ramesh to pursue the case strongly and to demand a CBI investigation into the matter.
The conversation with PC George was a short one, George at one point asserts, "I may have said many things to save Mani sir, but don't take it at face value". When Ramesh says "You know my allegations are true", George laughs and later disconnects the call.
It was in October 31, that Biju Ramesh had first come up with the allegation that the KM Mani had taken a bribe of Rs 1 crore from bar owners, in order to ensure that licences of 412 bars, which had been shut down by the government, would be renewed.
The two conversations have been released by Biju Ramesh to support his allegations.
Oommen Chandy however, has reportedly denied the allegations made by Pillai. The CM said that Pillai has not told him anything in this regard. He also asserted that nobody can pull down the government and that he would "go forward with public support". Pillai too stands by the statements he has made in the conversation with Biju Ramesh, though he feels Ramesh should not have released the audio.
To put the story in context for those who do not follow Kerala politics, PC George is a part of Kerala Congress (M), a party headed by KM Mani, whereas Balakrishna Pillai heads the Kerala Congress (B). Both are allies of the Indian National Congress and part of UDF, and have been strong critics of the UDF government, having lashed out at the government at several occasions.
The CPI-M, on the telephone conversations, has said that though PC George and Balakrishna Pillai have been critical of the government, their statements cannot been taken as simple political statement and that the conversations need to be probed into. Following the controversy, the CPI-M has also demanded Oommen Chandy's resignation.