Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 20 (IANS) R. Balakrishna Pillai, a senior leader of Kerala's Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), said Tuesday he would be happy if ousted from the coalition over controversy that he knew about the bribe allegedly demanded by Finance Minister K.M. Mani from bar owners.
"I will be more happy if I am booted out. I feel I will be stronger if I am outside the UDF, than being an ally of the UDF. If I am booted out, I will be able to reveal more," Pillai told reporters here.
The audio recordings aired on TV channels Monday ostensibly revealed that whistleblower bar owner Biju Ramesh had called Pillai.
Pillai is heard saying he along with his son K.B. Ganesh Kumar - a former minister - had told Chief Minister Oommen Chandy that Mani was taking bribes from several business groups.
Pillai is heard telling Ramesh that he should not backtrack on his statement, and should approach the Kerala High Court seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the bar graft case.
Ramesh alleged in October 2014 that Rs.1 crore was given to Mani as the first installment of the Rs.5 crore he demanded to help reopen bars that were closed under the state's new liquor policy. Following the allegation, the vigilance department registered a case against Mani.
The UDF consists of nine political parties and was formed in the early 80s and Pillai is one of its founder leaders. Pillai heads one of the three Kerala Congress parties, who are allies in the UDF.
Following the revelation, a peeved Mani demanded that Pillai should be booted out of the UDF and has approached Chandy and UDF convenor P.P. Thankachen.
Mani's Kerala Congress-Mani also is in a quandary a second conversation involved Ramesh and P.C. George, government chief whip and the party's vice chairman.
George is heard saying that even though he defends Mani on TV channel debates, it should not be given any importance.
Pillai said: "Before Mani's party wants action against me, they should throw out George first."
Meanwhile, Chandy Tuesday held informal talks with the senior leaders of the UDF and a meeting is expected to be called early next week.
World Cup 2023 Final: 'Keep your head raised..' Yuvraj Singh boosted the morale of Team India after the defeat in the final.
Yuvraj Singh Motivates Indian Team: The Indian team had to face defeat by 6 wickets at the hands of Australia in the final match of the ODI World Cup 2023. Only after this defeat, India's dream of
Bhavya Roy: Who is the abusive lady of Noida? Know the full story and what happened in this case so far
A video of a posh society in Noida is going viral since this morning. In this, a woman is seen abusing the security guard abusively. Holding the guard's collar, she is also trying to push him. The
Commercialization of oceans threat to mankind: Kerala Governor
Kochi, Feb 5 (IANS) Rapid commercialization of the ocean sector with little regard to ecology is a major threat to the marine ecosystem and the very existence of mankind, said Kerala Governor
Weather Update Today: Heavy rain expected in 25 districts of UP, IMD issued alert; Know- weather conditions across the country
Today's weather update is being seen in many states of the country. The Meteorological Department has issued an IMD rainfall alert in many states today i.e. on 29 August. Due to heavy rains on the
Mexico: 18 people including the mayor died in the indiscriminate firing, the gang said in the video... 'We have returned'
Gunmen have opened fire in Mexico adjacent to America. 18 people died in the firing. A mayor and a police officer were also among the dead. This incident of firing is being told by Tolapan of San
Polling for 11 Kashmir legislative council seats March 2
Jammu, Feb 12 (IANS) Polling for 11 seats of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative council will be held March 2, it was announced here Thursday.The notification of election was issued by returning
Board Exam 2021: Chhattisgarh Board's 10th exam postponed due to corona
Chhattisgarh CGBSE Class 10 board exams 2021 postponed: Chhattisgarh Board's tenth examination has been postponed because of increasing infection of coronavirus. The Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary
Maharashtra New CM: After the first denial, where did he express it openly, is Shinde ready to be CM again?
The results of Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 came on Saturday (23 November), but the picture is not clear on who will be the next CM of the state. The names of Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath
Need Political will to Fight Drug Resistance, Ebola: WHO
Kolkata, Feb 12 (IANS) The World Health Organisation's Southeast Asia Regional Office (SEARO) has called for heightened political will to tackle emerging threats of non-communicable diseases
Uddhav said - By the end of April, there will be 12 lakh active cases of corona in Maharashtra, these demands from PM
Amidst the ever-increasing corona cases in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has said that there may be around 12 lakh active cases in the state by the end of April. He has said this by
