Kerala: Mani to present 13th budged, Facing allegation of corruption

On Tuesday KM Mani ‘Finance Minister of Kerala‘says that he will presenting his 13th budget and number 13 was lucy for him. Mani is facing allegation of corruption.

Mani was interacting with the media for the first time on Tuesday after whistle-blower bar owner Biju Ramesh alleged that the minister was given Rs 1 crore in October last year as the first instalment of the Rs 5 crore bribe he demanded to help reopen closed bars in the state.

“I have a record (of presenting the budget)… 12 times and this is the only such record in the country. My life is an open book. People know me very well for the past 50 years. I will be presenting my 13th budget. Some people told me about the unlucky number 13, but for me 13 is lucky,” said Mani, who will turn 82 on Friday.

“The allegation is meant to malign me and the audio tape (of discussions between the bar owner and some politicians) that came out in the media is a fabricated one,” he said.

“I know this is a political conspiracy against me and I know who the perpetrators are. The Congress-led UDF is giving me all support. I am not a coward to run away,” the minister added.

“The law is very clear that the onus is on the person who has levelled the allegation to come out with the evidence,” Mani said.

Mani said though he has sent a legal notice to Ramesh, he was waiting to go ahead with further legal action at the appropriate time.

"It has been nearly three months since the baseless allegation was made" Mani said.

Src:- http://zeenews.india.com/news/kerala/kerala-facing-graft-allegation-mani-to-present-13th-budget_1537348.html

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