KOTTAYAM: Even while Jose K Mani MP continues his hunger strike demanding the Centre’s intervention to stem the fall in rubber price, Kerala Congress (Secular) leader P C George has levelled serious allegations against Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani’s family members stating that they were part of a company allegedly engaged in the business of synthetic rubber, a product that raises grave threat to natural rubber.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, George alleged that K M Mani’s, daughter-in-law and Jose K Mani’s wife Nisha Jose K Mani, son-in-law Mathew Saviour and Mani’s daughter’s co-sister Roopa are partners of Royal Marketing and Distributors, a company that allegedly does business of synthetic rubber. He added that Jose K Mani had been a partner of this company, before he became a member of the Parliament in 2009.
“When Jose became MP, he handed over his partnership to his wife Nisha. This company is a stockist company of Reliance (Industries Limited). Moreover, this company supplies both artificial and natural rubber to major tyre companies like Appollo and MRF,” he said.
George alleged that by launching protests for protecting the rubber farming sector, even while being a part of a synthetic rubber company, Jose K Mani was hoodwinking the farmers with his protests.
Meanwhile, E V Pradeep, general manager of Royal Marketing and distributors, dismissed the allegations raised by George that the company deals with the business of synthetic rubber. “Our company is in no way connected with synthetic rubber. Royal Marketing and distributors is a company engaged in the business of polymer products, catering to the needs of plastic industry. We are the del-credere agents of Reliance industries limited. We do not supply any kind of rubber to any tyre companies,” he said. He, however, admitted that Mathew Saviour and Nisha are partners of the company, whereas any person named Roopa is not connected with the company.