Kochi: Aam Aadmi Party today opposed Finance Minister K M Mani, who is facing allegations in the bar bribery case, presenting the annual budget in the assembly tomorrow. Convenor of the AAP’s “Mission Vistar” Sarah Joseph said a survey conducted by the party revealed that a large number of Keralites are against Mani presenting the budget. Presenting the findings of the survey at a press meet here, she said a total of 59,138 people responded to the survey conducted across the state and “89 per cent of them said that Mani should not present the Kerala budget 2015-16”. “Out of 59138 people whom we surveyed, only 6426 are saying that Mani should present the budget. While 52,676 respondents opposed Mani presenting the budget and 36 remained neutral,” she said.
The AAP said it surveyed people in all 14 districts of the state by directly approaching them, through social media platforms and via missed call. The survey result was made public on the eve of presentation of the budget by Mani whose resignation issue has rocked the state Assembly. Sarah Joseph said Mani, who is facing vigilance probe into the corruption case, doesn’t have moral authority to present the budget.
“Mani should desist from presenting the budget. He is challenging the people of the state by stating that he himself would present the budget,” she said. The AAP asked the state government to pass Right to Recall Bill to prevent tainted people from entering the temple of democracy.
Opposition LDF has announced that it would go to any extend to prevent “tainted” Mani from presenting the budget while ruling Congress led UDF have made it clear that the Kerala Congress leader himself would present the budget. Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau had registered a case against Mani in December last year in connection with the allegation that he had accepted bribe from bar owners to renew liquor licences. The allegations were levelled by Bar Hotel Owner’s Association Working President Biju Ramesh.
