CPI leader D Raja calls for resignation of Kerala Finance Minister over bribery allegations

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja on Saturday said Kerala Finance Minister KM Mani's position has become untenable following the bribery allegations levelled against him, and added that the latter should step down from his post.

"Morally speaking, his position has become untenable, he cannot continue as the Finance Minister. And in such a situation… he wants to present the budget and what sanctity the budget will have that's a big issue, that's why the LDF has taken up that issue," Raja told ANI here.

"The LDF has announced series of campaigns against that ouster of Mr. Mani, the Finance Minister, and it will go in. His position has become untenable and morally speaking he should have stepped down when such serious allegation was made against the Finance Minister," he added.

Earlier on Friday, the opposition parties in Kerala walked out of the assembly and boycotted Governor P Sathasivam's address.

Holding placards and banners, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) demanded the resignation of Mani, who is facing a vigila
nce probe in the bar scam case.

The Budget Session of Kerala Assembly is expected to be stormy as the opposition parties have made it clear that they would not allow the Finance Minister to present his budget on March 13.