Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod(RJP)
Kasargod, Jan 27: Kasargod witnessed a complete shut down on Tuesday January 27, in response to a bandh call called by BJP demanding the resignation of Kerala state finance minister K M Mani.
K M Mani is facing charges of demanding hefty bribes from bar owners to renew their licences.
Buses, including government-owned KSRTC, stayed off the roads. Only some private cars and two-wheelers could be seen plying.
Though no reports of any unpleasant incidents have been reported so far, it is said that in the morning some vehicles were stopped forcibly. Even shops had the same fate. The shop keepers closed their shutters after insistence from protestors.
Commuters have been inconvenienced. Schools have remained closed. Attendance in government offices was very poor.
Passengers who arrived at railway stations were unaware of the bandh and found it difficult to get transport.
The bar bribe scam pertains to graft allegation leveled by hotelier Biju Ramesh against Mani.
In November last, Ramesh had alleged that Mani had been given a hefty sum on the promise that he would help reopen some closed liquor bars. An FIR has been lodged in the matter for a detailed probe.
Mani, who handles finance and law and is supremo of key UDF constituent Kerala Congress(M), had rubbished the charge, saying Ramesh had no credibility as he had been making contradictory statements on the issue.
Both Congress-led ruling UDF and chief minister Oommen Chandy had rallied behind Mani and expressed confidence in the finance minister and maintained that he (Mani) would present the budget this year too.
With PTI Inputs