THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bar hotel owner Biju Ramesh alleged on Monday that the bar bribery probe was scuttled after KC (M) leader (late) K M Mani visited chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan at his residence.
“After this meeting, a message went to state police headquarters to stall probe in the bar bribery. I had earlier met Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and they had urged me to stand firm on my statements and had pledged support. But, after Mani’s visit everything came to an end,” he alleged.
He also made a new revelation against opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala. “When I was set to give a statement under CrPC Section 164, Chennithala’s wife pleaded not to create trouble for her husband. After that, Ramesh called and requested me not to reveal his name while giving my statement and I did not mention his name. He was the home minister then,” said Biju. He alleged that every time the then excise minister K Babu demanded money for party fund, he used to inform that he was following the directive of the then chief minister Oommen Chandy.
Biju said he had no faith in vigilance probe. “All political parties are alike. Congress is working, hand in glove with CPM, to settle bar bribery case. Hence only an investigation by a central agency can bring out the truth,” he added.
Biju claimed that he had revealed the names of all political leaders who had accepted money and also the offer made by Mani’s son Jose and that vigilance was not ready to record the same.
“They were of the opinion that they have certain limitations. I still stick to what I have said and will provide more proof. But, I have lost trust in vigilance,” he said. He claimed CPM was not sincere in the bar bribery case. “If the government wants to proceed with the case I am ready to cooperate,” he said.
Defamation notice against Biju
Meanwhile, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala decided to send a defamation notice to Biju Ramesh for putting him and his wife in a bad light before the public by making false and defamatory statements.
“Vigilance had twice found that there was no evidence to prove the allegations levelled against me. However, Biju has come out with baseless statements against me and my wife and I have decided to take legal recourse,” said Chennithala.
Surendran slams CM, oppn leader
BJP state president K Surendran alleged that it was CM Pinarayi Vijayan who torpedoed the bar bribery case. Surendran said that the disclosures by Biju Ramesh shows the understanding between UDF and LDF. CM should make it clear if he got any favour – other than Jose K Mani joining LDF –in return for torpedoing the probe.
He also slammed opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala saying that he should say why he pleaded before Biju. When Jose K Mani changed political front he became a saint. In Kerala, UDF and LDF are indulging in settlement politics, he alleged.