THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “Personally, I’m still not for continuing as a minister. But I’m told by the Chief Minister and UDF leaders that continuing as a minister has become a matter of political necessity. I don’t want to put the Chief Minister in trouble even if it meant personal difficulties for me,’’ Babu told Express. ‘’I had spoken to Babu and conveyed the decision against the backdrop of the current scenario,’’ Chandy told Express. UDF convenor P P Thankachan told reporters that with the High Court stay orders, there is no case against Babu and Mani also remains exonerated. ‘’With regard to Babu’s case, the High Court has even ordered against the Vigilance Court judge. What remains against Mani are only some adverse remarks passed by the High Court since the latest Vigilance investigation report itself has dismissed the charges against him,’’ Thankachan said. ‘’Mani is innocent,’’ he said.
Mani was not eager to return to the ministry at this juncture. The Vigilance court has posted his case for February 16,thus leaving him on guard to take any plunge. ‘’I’m grateful that the UDF has reposed faith in me. But I don’t wish to have a berth now. Everything will be discussed in the party before taking an appropriate decision’’, he said. Thankachan did not comment on posers whether Mani would present the annual budget on February 12.
‘’If there is a government in Kerala, the budget will be presented as scheduled. The Opposition should not have any notion that the government will be frightened under any violent stir,’’ he said.